2011–12 Hertha BSC season

On 18 December, Hertha BSC fired head coach Markus Babbel after a disagreement with Michael Preetz.{{cite news|title=Hertha Berlin fire coach Markus Babbel|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/soccer/hertha-berlin-fire-coach-markus-babbel/article2275305/|access-date=19 December 2011|newspaper=The Globe and Mail|date=18 December 2011}} Preetz fired Babbel because there is no trust and so the club can "avert damage".{{cite news|title=Babbels Entlassung beendet große Schlammschlacht|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/hertha-bsc/article13773958/Babbels-Entlassung-beendet-grosse-Schlammschlacht.html|access-date=19 December 2011|newspaper=Die Welt|date=18 December 2011|language=German}} Babbel he told Preetz that he would not sign a contract extension during the November international break while Preetz claim Babbel told him on 13 December. Babbel responded to Pretz's claim by stating that "when someone has another opinion, then maybe he wasn't listening properly". On 22 December, Michael Skibbe was named Babbel's replacement.{{cite news|title=Für Skibbe gehört Hertha BSC ins obere Tabellendrittel|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/hertha-bsc/article13780754/Fuer-Skibbe-gehoert-Hertha-BSC-ins-obere-Tabellendrittel.html|access-date=22 December 2011|newspaper=Die Welt|date=22 December 2011}} On 12 February, Hertha BSC fired Skibbe after losing all 5 matches in charge.{{cite news|title=Skibbe sacked by Hertha|url=http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11893/7514119/Skibbe-sacked-by-Hertha|access-date=12 February 2012|newspaper=SkySports|date=12 February 2012}}

Fortuna Düsseldorf won a spot in the promotion/relegation playoff against first division side Hertha BSC.{{cite news|last=Penfold|first=Chuck|title=Düsseldorf take top flight spot, Berlin relegated|url=http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15953152,00.html|access-date=16 May 2012|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=16 May 2012}}

Going into the playoff, Fortuna Düsseldorf hadn't been in the top flight for 15 seasons.{{cite news|title=Die Bundesliga ist für Fortuna zum Greifen nahe|url=https://www.kicker.de/hertha-gegen-duesseldorf-2012-bundesliga-relegation-1426979/analyse|newspaper=Kicker|access-date=15 May 2012|language=German|date=10 May 2012}} They won the first leg against Hertha BSC 1:2 in Berlin's Olympic Stadium from goals from Thomas Bröker and an own goal from Hertha BSC's Adrián Ramos.

In the return leg in Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia, both teams drew 2-2.{{cite news|title=Fortunas Wiedergeburt versinkt im Chaos|url=https://www.kicker.de/duesseldorf-gegen-hertha-2012-bundesliga-relegation-1426980/analyse|access-date=15 May 2012|newspaper=Kicker|date=15 May 2012}} Fortuna Düsseldorf won on aggregate 4–3. However, the second half was marred by trouble. Hertha BSC supporter threw flares onto the field.{{cite news|last=Wallrodt|first=Lars|title=Idioten nutzen Fußball-Bühne für Machtspielchen|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/article106319550/Idioten-nutzen-Fussball-Buehne-fuer-Machtspielchen.html|access-date=15 May 2012|newspaper=Die Welt|date=15 May 2012|language=German}} Hertha BSC supporters did this after Fortuna Düsseldorf scored their second goal of the night to lead 2–1. The other problem of the night was when several Fortuna Düsseldorf supporters ran onto the field with about a minute left.{{cite news|title=Fortuna Dusseldorf end Bundesliga exile|url=http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=341645&cc=5901|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120606080328/http://soccernet.espn.go.com/report?id=341645&cc=5901|url-status=dead|archive-date=6 June 2012|access-date=15 May 2012|newspaper=ESPN Soccernet|date=15 May 2012}} It took 21 minutes to restore order{{cite news|title=Referee Stark von Hertha-Spielern attackiert|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/hertha-bsc/article106324983/Referee-Stark-von-Hertha-Spielern-attackiert.html|access-date=16 May 2012|newspaper=Die Welt|date=16 May 2012|language=German}} and stoppage time ended up being 28 minutes by the time the final whistle blew. With Fortuna Düsseldorf winning the 2 legged affair, they returned to the Bundesliga after 15 seasons.

Hertha BSC appealed the result of the match.{{cite news|title=Hertha BSC legt Protest gegen Skandalspiel ein|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/article106326124/Hertha-BSC-legt-Protest-gegen-Skandalspiel-ein.html|access-date=16 May 2012|newspaper=Die Welt|date=16 May 2012|language=German}}{{cite news|title=Hertha legt Protest ein - Verhandlung am Freitag|url=https://www.kicker.de/hertha-legt-protest-ein-569136/artikel|access-date=16 May 2012|newspaper=kicker|date=16 May 2012|language=German}} The German Football Association will be meeting on 18 May 2012 to discuss the incidents of the second leg. Campino, singer for Die Toten Hosen, called Hertha BSC's protest "indecent".{{cite news|title=Campino nennt möglichen Hertha-Protest "unanständig"|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/article106325540/Campino-nennt-moeglichen-Hertha-Protest-unanstaendig.html|access-date=16 May 2012|date=16 May 2012|language=German}} The hearing at the German Football Association last for six hours.{{cite news|title=DFB delays decision on Hertha relegation|url=http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15962449,00.html|access-date=19 May 2012|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=18 May 2012}} The panel's decision will not be known until a further meeting on Monday. It is expected to make a decision at 15:00 CET. The German Football Association stated that any possible disciplinary action against either club or any of the players will be taken at a later date. The players being investigated are Levan Kobiashvili, Christian Lell, Thomas Kraft and Andre Mijatović. 2nd leg referee Wolfgang Stark was a key witness at the first hearing at the German Football Association.

Sports law expert Michael Lehner said that Hertha BSC can hope for replay after the second leg of the promotion/relegation playoff.{{cite news|title=Hertha BSC kann auf Spielwiederholung hoffen|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/hertha-bsc/article106324209/Hertha-BSC-kann-auf-Spielwiederholung-hoffen.html|access-date=16 May 2012|newspaper=Die Welt|date=16 May 2012|language=German}} Lehner went on to state, "Is not the game has been properly placed on the principle of equal opportunity at the end there was a break in terms of game development" and "The team of Hertha BSC through the fault of third parties a real opportunity has been deprived of the game even. get why there should be a replay from a legal point of view".

The sports court of the German Football Association rejected the appeal of Hertha BSC.{{cite news|title=Hertha scheitert und zieht vors DFB-Bundesgericht|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/hertha-bsc/article106353642/Hertha-scheitert-und-zieht-vors-DFB-Bundesgericht.html|access-date=21 May 2012|newspaper=Die Welt|date=21 May 2012|language=German}}{{cite news|title=Einspruch abgewiesen: Doch Hertha geht vors Bundesgericht|url=https://www.kicker.de/einspruch-abgewiesen_doch-hertha-geht-vors-bundesgericht-569331/artikel|access-date=21 May 2012|newspaper=kicker|date=21 May 2012|language=German}}{{cite news|title=DFB rejects Hertha replay request|url=http://www.dw.de/dw/article/0,,15965833,00.html|access-date=21 May 2012|publisher=Deutsche Welle|date=21 May 2012}} Hertha BSC will pay the cost of the proceedings. Hertha BSC appealed the decision of the German Football Association's sports court. The sports German Football Association court president Hans Eberhard Lorenz stated, "The appeal was unsuccessful, because no ground of opposition was to prove the referee has traded at any time conform to the rules, and the alleged Hertha BSC-sided weakness due to the interruption could not be proven.." He also stated that "There was no Berlin players injured or assaulted or were needed to be replaced. Had this been the case, the objection would have been done." The Federal Court of the German Football Association confirmed the Sports Court decision.{{cite news|title=Hertha scheitert – Chaosspiel wird nicht wiederholt|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/hertha-bsc/article106358522/Hertha-scheitert-Chaosspiel-wird-nicht-wiederholt.html|access-date=25 May 2012|newspaper=Die Welt|date=25 May 2012|language=German}} Hertha BSC can appeal the decision to the Sports Court for Arbitration. After the final verdict, Hertha BSC players went on vacation while Fortuna Düsseldorf players were not immediately released for vacation.{{cite news|title=Herthaner im Urlaub, Fortunen noch nicht|url=https://www.kicker.de/herthaner-im-urlaub-fortunen-noch-nicht-569629/artikel|access-date=29 May 2012|newspaper=kicker|date=26 May 2012|language=German}}

The disciplinary panel of the German Football Association decided that Fortuna Düsseldorf must play their first home match of next season with no fans for the fans running onto the field during the 2nd leg of the promotion/relegation playoff.{{cite news|title=DFB fordert "Geisterspiel" für Fortuna Düsseldorf|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/fortuna-duesseldorf/article106550778/DFB-fordert-Geisterspiel-fuer-Fortuna-Duesseldorf.html|access-date=12 June 2012|newspaper=Die Welt|date=12 June 2012|language=German}} The club was also hit with a six figure fine.

Another incident reported by Die Welt the next day was that Hertha BSC players attacked second leg referee Wolfgang Stark. Stark pressed charges against an unknown player for assaulting him off the field. Hertha BSC have apologized for the conduct of some of the club's players.{{cite news|title=Hertha entschuldigt sich, Düsseldorf trainiert wieder|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/hertha-bsc/article106343224/Hertha-entschuldigt-sich-Duesseldorf-trainiert-wieder.html|access-date=19 May 2012|newspaper=Die Welt|date=19 May 2012|language=German}} The four players are accused of verbally and physically harassing the referee. The German Football Association (DFB) handed down suspensions for Levan Kobiashvili, who was banned for a year, Christian Lell, who was banned for six matches, Thomas Kraft, who was banned for five matches and Andre Mijatović, who was banned for four matches.{{cite news|title=Kontrollausschuss fordert ein Jahr Sperre für Kobiashvili|url=https://www.welt.de/sport/fussball/bundesliga/hertha-bsc/article106394244/Kontrollausschuss-fordert-ein-Jahr-Sperre-fuer-Kobiashvili.html|access-date=30 May 2012|newspaper=Die Welt|date=30 May 2012|language=German}} Kobiashvili's suspension was reduced to seven and a half months and Lell's ban was eventually reduced to 5 matches.{{cite news|title=Siebeneinhalb Monate! Rekordstrafe für Kobiashvili|url=https://www.kicker.de/siebeneinhalb-monate-rekordstrafe-fuer-kobiashvili-570017/artikel|access-date=12 July 2012|newspaper=kicker|date=4 June 2012|language=German}}{{cite news|title=DFB-Sportgericht sperrt Lell für fünf Spiele|url=https://www.kicker.de/dfb-sportgericht-sperrt-lell-fuer-fuenf-spiele-570130/artikel|access-date=12 July 2012|newspaper=kicker|date=6 June 2012|language=German}}

{{legend2|#CCFFCC|Win|border=1px solid #AAA}}

{{legend2|#FFFFCC|Draw|border=1px solid #AAA}}

{{legend2|#FFCCCC|Loss|border=1px solid #AAA}}

Note: Results are given with Hertha BSC score listed first.

As 16th-placed team, Hertha BSC faces the 3rd-placed 2011–12 2. Bundesliga side in a two-legged play-off. The winner on aggregate score after both matches will earn a spot in the 2012–13 Bundesliga.

Dates and times of these matches were determined by the Deutsche Fußball-Liga as following:{{cite web|title=DFL revises first-leg schedule for promotion/relegation play-offs |url=http://www.bundesliga.de/en/liga/news/2011/211393.php |publisher=Deutsche Fußball Liga |access-date=3 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120507024206/http://www.bundesliga.de/en/liga/news/2011/211393.php |archive-date=7 May 2012 }}

{{footballbox

| date = 10 May 2012

| time = 20:30 CEST

| team1 = Hertha BSC

| score = 1 – 2

| report = [http://www.bundesliga.de/de/liga/matches/2011/index.php?bmi=135894&reiter=b&tag=35 report]

| team2 = Fortuna Düsseldorf

| goals1 = Hubník {{goal|19}}

| goals2 = Bröker {{goal|64}}
Ramos {{goal|71|o.g.}}

| stadium = Olympic Stadium, Berlin

| attendance = 68,041

| referee = Marco Fritz

}}

----

{{footballbox

| date = 15 May 2012

| time = 20:30 CEST

| team1 = Fortuna Düsseldorf

| score = 2 – 2

| report = [http://www.bundesliga.de/de/liga/matches/2011/index.php?bmi=135895&reiter=b&tag=35 report]

| team2 = Hertha BSC

| goals1 = Beister {{goal|1}}
Jovanović {{goal|59}}

| goals2 = Ben-Hatira {{goal|23}}
Raffael {{goal|85}}

| stadium = Esprit Arena, Düsseldorf, North Rhine-Westphalia

| attendance = 51,000

| referee = Wolfgang Stark

}}

Note: Results are given with Hertha BSC score listed first.

{{Efs start|Bundesliga|DFB-Pokal|Relegation play-offs}}

{{Efs player|no=1 |nat=NED|pos=GK|name=Maikel Aerts |0 |0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=2 |nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Christian Lell |28|1|2|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=3 |nat=GEO|pos=DF|name=Levan Kobiashvili |31|2|3|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=4 |nat=CZE|pos=DF|name=Roman Hubník |27|1|3|0|2|1}}

{{Efs player|no=5 |nat=CRO|pos=DF|name=Andre Mijatović |21|1|2|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=6 |nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Christoph Janker |18|0|3|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=7 |nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Maik Franz |7 |0|1|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=8 |nat=GER|pos=MF|name=Andreas Ottl |26|0|3|1|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=9 |nat=COL|pos=FW|name=Adrián Ramos |31|6|4|3|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=10|nat=BRA|pos=MF|name=Raffael |31|6|1|0|2|1}}

{{Efs player|no=11|nat=TUR|pos=FW|name=Tunay Torun |20|4|2|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=12|nat=BRA|pos=MF|name=Ronny |10|0|4|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=13|nat=AUS|pos=MF|name=Nikita Rukavytsya |24|1|1|1|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=14|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Sebastian Neumann |2 |0|1|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=17|nat=TUN|pos=MF|name=Änis Ben-Hatira |17|3|2|0|2|1}}

{{Efs player|no=18|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=Peter Niemeyer |31|3|4|0|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=19|nat=GER|pos=FW|name=Pierre-Michel Lasogga |31|8|4|2|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=20|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=Patrick Ebert |27|0|4|2|2|0}}

{{Efs player|no=21|nat=GER|pos=GK|name=Sascha Burchert |2 |0|2|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=22|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Felix Bastians |13|0|1|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=23|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=Fanol Perdedaj |7 |0|0|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=24|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=John Brooks |0 |0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=25|nat=AUT|pos=FW|name=Marco Djuricin |2 |0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=26|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=Nico Schulz |0 |0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=27|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=Alfredo Morales |8 |0|2|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=28|nat=SUI|pos=MF|name=Fabian Lustenberger |12|0|3|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=32|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=Fabian Holland |2 |0|0|0|1|0}}

{{Efs player|no=33|nat=GER|pos=FW|name=Abu-Bakarr Kargbo |0 |0|0|0|0|0}}

{{Efs player|no=35|nat=GER|pos=GK|name=Thomas Kraft |34|0|2|0|2|0}}

|}

{{small|Last updated:25 May 2012}}

: Disciplinary records for 2011–12 league matches. Players with 1 card or more included only.

: Last updated on 5 May 2012

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

In:

{{fs start|hidenote=yes}}

{{fs player|no=7 |nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Maik Franz|other=from Eintracht Frankfurt}}

{{fs player|no=8 |nat=GER|pos=MF|name=Andreas Ottl|other=from Bayern Munich}}

{{fs player|no=11|nat=TUR|pos=FW|name=Tunay Torun|other=from Hamburger SV}}

{{fs player|no=17|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=Änis Ben-Hatira|other=from Hamburger SV}}

{{fs player|no=18|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=Peter Niemeyer|other=from Werder Bremen, previously on loan}}

{{Fs player|no=24|nat=USA|pos=DF|name=John Brooks|other=from Hertha BSC II}}

{{Fs player|no=33|nat=GER|pos=FW|name=Abu-Bakarr Kargbo|other=from Hertha BSC II}}

{{fs player|no=35|nat=GER|pos=GK|name=Thomas Kraft|other=from Bayern Munich}}

{{Fs end}}

{{col-2}}

Out:

{{fs start|hidenote=yes}}

{{fs player|no=15|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=Sascha Bigalke|other=to SpVgg Unterhaching}}

{{fs player|no=16|nat=CAN|pos=FW|name=Rob Friend|other=to Eintracht Frankfurt}}

{{fs player|no=17|nat=BUL|pos=FW|name=Valeri Domovchiyski|other=to MSV Duisburg}}

{{fs player|no=25|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Lennart Hartmann|other=to Alemannia Aachen}}

{{fs player|no=27|nat=GER|pos=MF|name=Marvin Knoll|other=on loan to Dynamo Dresden}}

{{Fs player|no=--|nat=AUT|pos=MF|name=Daniel Beichler|other=on loan to MSV Duisburg, previously on loan at FC St. Gallen}}

{{Fs player|no=--|nat=BRA|pos=DF|name=Kaká|other=on loan to APOEL, previously on loan at Braga}}

{{Fs end}}

{{col-end}}

{{col-begin}}

{{col-2}}

In:

{{fs start|hidenote=yes}}

{{fs player|no=22|nat=GER|pos=DF|name=Felix Bastians|other=from SC Freiburg}}

{{fs end}}

{{col-2}}

Out:

{{fs start|hidenote=yes}}

{{fs end}}

{{col-end}}

• 2011–12 Bundesliga
• 2011–12 DFB-Pokal
• Hertha BSC

{{Reflist}}

{{Hertha BSC}}

{{2011–12 in German football}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:2011-12 Hertha Bsc Season}}

Category:Hertha BSC seasons

Hertha BSC