2nd league
Hertha goalkeeper Gersbeck does not have to go to prison
Was sentenced to a fine by the Salzburg regional court: Hertha goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck. photo
© Soeren Stache/dpa
Goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck from Hertha BSC apologizes in court to the victim of the nighttime brawl in Austria. The judge comes to a quick verdict: a fine instead of prison.
Hertha goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck does not have to go to prison after the violent incident during the training camp in Austria.
After admitting guilt and apologizing to the victim, the 28-year-old was sentenced to a fine of 40,000 euros in the Salzburg regional court. The Salzburg public prosecutor’s office had brought charges of serious bodily harm, which could have resulted in a prison sentence of between six months and five years. The goalkeeper of the Berlin second division soccer team is now not considered to have a criminal record.
“I deeply regret the incident. I would like to personally apologize to the victim,” Gersbeck said right at the start of the trial. He then apologized to the 22-year-old Austrian with a handshake and added: “I hope that you don’t have any consequential damage.”
Beating victim accepts Gersbeck’s apology
The victim of the nighttime brawl in Zell am See on July 16 accepted Gersbeck’s apology, whereupon the judge suggested diversion of the fine as provided for in Austrian law. According to reports, Gersbeck had previously agreed with the victim to pay compensation in order to avoid possible civil litigation. The verdict that has now been passed is not yet legally binding, but an objection by the public prosecutor is considered unlikely.
The serious brawl occurred on the sidelines of Hertha BSC’s training camp. The goalkeeper punched and kicked the victim. As a result, the 22-year-old suffered a fracture of the orbital floor, a fracture of the maxillary sinus wall and an eyelid hematoma, even if only through negligence, as the public prosecutor announced. Hertha BSC suspended the goalkeeper after the incident. It is still unclear what impact the verdict will have on Gersbeck’s future at his Berlin club.
Berlin-born Gersbeck was brought back to his youth club by Karlsruher SC this summer. Because of his close contacts in the fan scene, he is considered a possible identification figure for the so-called Hertha Way, with which the Bundesliga relegated team wants to get out of the sporting and economic crisis.