Hertha Berlin have fined Brazilian Gilberto ‚é¼5,000.
Hertha Berlin have fined Gilberto ‚é¼5,000 after the Brazilian international decided to extend his holidays for three more days.After helping Brazil to win the Confederations Cup this summer, the midfielder had been given time until Tuesday last week to report back to training, but he went AWOL in his home country and did not return to the German capital before Friday.
"We couldn't accept something like that as he didn't contact us," stressed managing director Dieter Hoeness, who opted for a relatively low fine as it was the first time the Brazilian caused any disciplinarian problems since joining from Sao Caetano.
The midfielder, who missed Hertha's League Cup penalty shoot-out defeat against Stuttgart on Saturday, has meanwhile admitted his mistake after resuming training.
"It was a mistake not to inform Hertha and I accept the punishment," acknowledged Gilberto.
"Winning [the Confederations Cup] made me proud and gave me plenty of self-confidence. Now I have to show good form while playing for Hertha."
Hertha managed to qualify for the Uefa Cup after finishing fourth in the Bundesliga last term and Gilberto feels that his club shouldn't settle for anything less this season.
"There's lots of quality in the team and I believe that we can challenge for high aims," insisted the 29-year-old.
