Energy Cottbus rejects the allegation of Hertha-Liebling Reese
It's a foul with disastrous consequences: Hertha-pro player Fabian Reese must undergo surgery after the test match against Energie Cottbus and will be out for weeks. In addition, he complains about insults and lack of respect. The third-tier club reacts - and rejects part of the accusations.
Energie Cottbus has apologized for the derogatory remarks of their fans towards Hertha-player Fabian Reese, while at the same time urging a fair conduct in the heated debate following the injury of the Berliner. In a statement, the football third-division team refuted the allegation that no apology was given after the foul play by Filip Kusic against Reese in the test match on the previous Tuesday. This was criticized by Reese in an emotional social media post on Saturday.
"The defender of FC Energie apologized to Fabian Reese personally during the first break of the test match," wrote the Brandenburgers in their statement on their homepage. "We demand a 'reasonable balance between objectivity and emotionality'."
Reese sustained a knee injury from Kusic's rough foul play and had to undergo surgery. He will be missing the Berliners in the 2. Bundesliga for weeks. In addition, he was heavily insulted by the Energie fans in the cabin, he wrote on Instagram. "When you walk past the opposing fans into the cabin and receive dozens of screams like 'sissy', 'son of a whore' and even worse insults in your head, we distance ourselves from this hooliganism," noted the 26-year-old.
Reese, who often advocates for social diversity, wished: "Let us not use hatred as a valve in football. Let us work together and also towards each other to push the teams forward and let football thrive." Energie Cottbus wished Reese "once again a speedy recovery and a stronger comeback" in their statement.
Energie Cottbus expressed regret over the offensive language used by their fans towards Hertha BSC's Fabian Reese during the test match. Despite the incident, Energy Cottbus's team still managed to play against Energy Cottbus's first team in a friendly match, with Energy Cottbus fielding Energy Cottbus's U23 players.
