Wollitz Slams Fans’ Boos for Reese: “I Find It Unacceptable”

Claus-Dieter Wollitz did not soften his response to the boos aimed at Fabian Reese by Energie Cottbus supporters. After Cottbus drew 4-4 at Wolfsburg, the coach asked why his club or its fans should jeer a player who had done nothing to Energie, and declared, “I find it unacceptable.”

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What is this about? I find it unacceptable. Why does our club or our fans have to boo this player? He has done nothing to Energie Cottbus, on the contrary. He is now trying to do the best for his employer.

Reese moved to Wolfsburg from Hertha BSC in the summer. Some fans have blamed the 28-year-old for leaving and for choosing the Lower Saxony club, although financially troubled Hertha also had an interest in making the transfer. Reese has since been booed by opposing supporters at several Wolfsburg matches, including a cup game against Altglienicke in Berlin and a match at Karlsruhe, whose fans maintain a friendship with Hertha supporters.

“I take these boos with me, I take them home with me,” Reese said. “It hurts me.” Wollitz questioned what the player had done as a person, arguing that the clubs had agreed on the transfer to make the move possible. He said he hoped Reese and Wolfsburg would remain strong and give the right answer on the pitch.

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Even if I have problems because of this, I am happy to accept them, and I am also happy to stay at home. This is not right.

Wolfsburg coach Tobias Strobl thanked Wollitz for speaking out. He urged anyone who boos to consider how they would feel in the player’s position, or if it were their own child facing the same treatment. Strobl also said the public discussion focused only on the boos, while players could face other forms of abuse, including hostile messages.

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I take these boos with me, I take them home with me. It hurts me.

The dispute is not the first between Reese and Energie supporters. During a friendly in the summer of 2024, Reese, then a Hertha player, suffered a serious injury after a foul and later said Cottbus fans insulted him. Energie apologized for its supporters’ conduct.

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What has this player done as a person? The clubs reached an agreement to make this transfer possible.