Fabian Klos – the big winner and hero among Bielefeld’s losers
Stand: 02.06.2023
It is probably only thanks to Fabian Klos that the situation in the relegation game between Bielefeld and Wiesbaden did not escalate completely and the game was not stopped. The Arminia captain confronted the chaos and found remarkable words after the defeat.
Es were unworthy scenes. Arminia Bielefeld’s fans freaked out, ignited pyrotechnics, threw firecrackers and tried to storm the pitch. At 0:4 in the relegation at SV Wehen Wiesbaden, the supporters of Arminia caused a scandal. It is probably only thanks to one man that the situation in the stadium did not escalate completely – Fabian Klos. The Bielefeld striker, a club icon, bravely opposed the chaos.
Klos cleared flagpoles from the penalty area, talked to stewards and tried again and again to soothe the angry Arminia fans. The 35-year-old stood at the fence and single-handedly prevented the chaos from disturbing the lawn. The word of the striker, who has been playing for Arminia since 2011, obviously carries weight with the supporters. Klos was able to prevent the worst.
WIESBADEN, GERMANY – JUNE 02: Fabian Klos of Bielefeld tries to calm his supporters during the Second Bundesliga playoffs first leg match between SV Wehen Wiesbaden and DSC Arminia… Bielefeld at BRITA-Arena on June 02, 2023 in Wiesbaden, Germany. (Photo by Thomas F. Starke/Getty Images)
Quelle: Getty Images/Thomas F. Starke
When all the players were in the dressing room after referee Benjamin Brand stopped play, he was the only one left on the pitch. He tried to placate. After the situation had calmed down a bit, he sat down on the substitutes’ bench for a moment and burst into tears.
“This is my club. The fans listened”
“At the moment it’s about the image that the club gives. This is my club. The fans listened. The referee has said that if another firecracker flies, he will stop the game. Should I be mad at the fans? I can not do that. I told them the game will be cancelled. They listened to me and stopped throwing firecrackers. Respect. It’s incredibly difficult. Thank God nobody got hurt,” said Klos on “Sat1” and fought back tears.
Fabian Klos sits stunned on the bench
Quelle: Getty Images/Thomas F. Starke
During the interruption, the stadium announcer also reported over the speakers: “Dear Bielefeld fans, take Fabian Klos as an example. He stands for fair play!” After a 21-minute break, referee Benjamin Brand started the game again and then called it off again exactly in the 90th minute.
And again the Bielefeld chaotic freaked out. They threw firecrackers, smoke bombs and pyrotechnics onto the square. Police officers marched in front of the block, the Bielefeld team fled into the cabin. Except for Klos, who watched the rioting in amazement. Klos burst into tears in the arms of a Wiesbaden player, and all the tension of the past few minutes seemed to melt away.
Fabian Klos – the hero of the evening
Source: dpa/Jörg Halisch
After the game, Klos became clear and sharply criticized his teammates: “I won’t say what I think because we still have a game. This team is not a team. The thing is done. I can’t stand in front of this team. Good footballers don’t make a good team. My son turned one today, so I missed it. It’s about the club, the fans have had to endure a lot in the last two years.”
