Selke again courts controversy after late match theatrics
First Hertha BSC lost their focus. Then they lost two potential points. At the center of another disappointing result, it's once again Hertha BSC striker Davie Selke.
Replays seemed to suggest that he engaged in simulation against Augsburg on Saturday afternoon.
After last week's disappointing derby result at the Stadion An der Alten Försterei, subbed on striker Davie Selke went over to the Hertha ultras who made the trip to offer up his match tricot. The former Germany U21 international and Olympic representative looked surprised to find that there were no takers. Few were interested in the jersey of a player who logged only four minutes and a bit of injury time.
Replays seemed to suggest that he engaged in simulation against Augsburg on Saturday afternoon.
The Schondorf native might find himself in even more hot water following this past weekend's result. Selke was at the center of a scuffle in the fourth minute of injury time that ultimately led to the match being extended further and Augsburg ultimately equalizing at 90+7.
Selke came on in the 73rd minute this time, producing little of note beyond being the focal point of the turbulent final phase. After receiving a short corner kick from fellow striker Stevan Jovetic, Selke hit the turf in a one-on-one duel with Iago. After apparently taking a shot from the Augsburg defender Iago underneath, Selke quickly signaled for the medics.
A melee erupted, one which saw both both Iago and Jovetic awarded yellow cards by referee Frank Willenborg. Augsburg then utilized the extra time to produce the equalizer. Hertha were undone on the final play, totally disorganized in defending the final FCA rush.
"That was a mistake," trainer Pal Dardai said of the occurrence after the match, "Everyone freaks out and you just can't do that. Everyone needs to stay focused. When everyone rushed over there, that's not okay. Then everyone lost their positions by a few meters."
"Because of the scene at the corner flag, the scene on the final goal was different," Dardai lamented, "That's what happens when you get out of your set-up."
In addition to reporting that he felt "shitty" afterwards, Selke accused Iago of "giving him a direct kick to the genitals."
The replay evidence doesn't necessarily bear this out. To begin with, Selke was trying to milk the clock by falling on top of a ball near the corner flag. Some football commentators call this a form of "shielding". Many who actually have actually played the game prefer to call it "cheating".
Moreover, while Iago's second frustration kick was certainly a bit too wild, it did appear that he hit the ball. Selke's frantic calls for the medics appeared to be contrived, even more so when he immediately got up to argue with the officials before anyone from the medical staff could get on the field.
Augsburg sporting director Stefan Reuter accused Selke of "play acting" and suggested there should be consequences; ones beyond the dropped points.
Always reliable when it comes to passionate support of his teammates and even taking responsibility for poor play, Selke has yet to score for Hertha in the league since returning from his extended loan with Werder Bremen this past summer.