First goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck had to leave Hertha BSC’s training camp, then he was suspended. The Berlin crisis club can’t find peace even as a second-division club.
A late-night argument in Austria has turned hopeful Marius Gersbeck into a problem case at Hertha BSC. The second-division football club suspended its goalkeeper “until further notice”. This was announced by the crisis club on Monday evening. The Berliners were reacting to the incidents at the weekend in the training camp in Zell am See in Austria. “Due to the police investigation against our player Marius Gersbeck, we have decided to suspend Marius from team training until further notice. In addition, he has been away from the team hotel without permission,” managing director Thomas Herrich was quoted as saying in a club release.
The decision was taken by Herrich and sporting director Benjamin Weber, it said. “The reason for the suspension is the alleged facts during the training camp in Zell am See / Austria,” Hertha further announced. Gersbeck would have to keep fit individually for the time being. The goalkeeper himself or his management have not yet commented on the events.
On Sunday, the Salzburg police reported a violent altercation in Zell am See in the early hours of the morning. A 28-year-old man allegedly injured a 22-year-old man, who had to be treated in hospital. The 28-year-old was then questioned by the police, but did not make any statements on the facts, as a spokesperson for the Salzburg police department confirmed to the Deutsche Presse-Agentur. Hertha had previously confirmed police investigations against a player, but did not initially mention Gersbeck’s name.
Gersbeck, who was born in Berlin, was brought back to his youth club this summer for 300,000 euros from Karlsruher SC. Because of his close contacts in the fan scene, he was 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.
In test matches, Gersbeck, who as a youth regularly stood as a fan in the east curve of the Olympiastadion, had recently been captain at times. He was also considered a potential number one for the upcoming season in the 2nd division. In the training camp, he had to take a break due to a finger injury.
Who will be the number one at Hertha BSC?
The suspension also has sporting consequences for coach Pal Dardai. Just under two weeks before the start of the season with the difficult away game at Fortuna Düsseldorf on 29 July (8.30pm/Sky/Sport1), the goalkeeper hierarchy that has just emerged will be re-sorted. Tjark Ernst could be a beneficiary, because Gersbeck returning quickly seems unthinkable at the moment. It is also possible that Hertha will refrain from transferring the previous number one Oliver Christensen, who was actually sought for economic reasons.
On Monday, Dardai had still demonstrated composure. The professionals cycled to the Alois Latini Stadium in Zell am See for their regeneration session. The idyll of the Austrian mountains gave no hint of trouble. Under the command of the relaxed coach, the unit was routinely reeled off for a good hour, followed by a free afternoon in the training camp. The renewed rumblings behind the scenes could not be felt, but ultimately could not be concealed. This was made clear by Gersbeck’s suspension in the evening.
