Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin have suspended their goalkeeper Marius Gersbeck during a police investigation into his alleged involvement in a fight with another man who later needed hospital treatment.
Gersbeck was suspended “until further notice” according to a decision by Hertha managing director Thomas E. Herrich and sports director Benjamin Weber on Monday.
“The reason for the suspension are the alleged circumstances around the training camp at Zell am See in Austria,” the club said.
Mr Herrich added the 28-year-old goalkeeper “left the team hotel without permission”.
The club said earlier on Monday that Gersbeck left its training camp the day before and that it did not wish to make further comment on the situation while officers were investigating.
It did not say whether Gersbeck, who returned to Hertha from German side Karlsruher SC only last month, will remain at the club after the alleged incident.
Salzburg police said in a statement on Sunday that “a 28-year-old German man and a 22-year-old local man got into an argument on a street in the town of Zell am See” the night before.
They added that the row “escalated into a physical altercation”, leaving the younger man with unspecified injuries and that he was taken to a local hospital.
Read more world news:
The secret jungle hospital on the frontline
Hostile states using ‘organised crime gangs’
Man and dog survive months lost at sea
Hertha brought Gersbeck back to his home town club for a reported fee of 300,000 euros (£257,000).
Gersbeck has ties to the side’s ultra fans – referring to a section of the club’s fanbase renowned for its fervent support.
He had been seen as a key figure to help Hertha emerge from its crisis after the side were relegated from Germany’s top flight in May.