Hertha Berlin players support NFL protests before Bundesliga game
Before their game vs. Schalke, Hertha knelt and locked arms for "tolerance and responsibility."
BERLIN -- Hertha Berlin players and officials kneeled in solidarity with the recent NFL protests ahead of their Bundesliga match against Schalke on Saturday.
A number of NFL players have "taken a knee" in recent months and German club Hertha showed solidarity for the ongoing protests in the United States before their game on Saturday.
"Berlin is colourful," the Hertha stadium announcer told the fans in attendance. "Hertha BSC stands for diversity and against violence.
"For this reason, we are joining forces with the protest of our fellow American athletes to take a stand against discrimination.
"For a tolerant Berlin, both now and forevermore."
Hertha BSC stands for tolerance and responsibility! For a tolerant Berlin and an open-minded world, now and forevermore! #TakeAKnee #hahohe pic.twitter.com/spZvRSGVxQ
— Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) October 14, 2017
After the teams greeted each other prior to kick-off, Hertha -- whose matchday squad included players from 10 different nations -- kneeled in their own half and looked toward the marathon gate of Berlin's Olympiastadion.
In the dugout, Hertha's Hungarian coach Pal Dardai, the entire staff and substitutes also kneeled.
Jonathan Klinsmann, son of former U.S. men's national team coach Jurgen, is the only American player at Hertha but was not involved in the matchday squad on Saturday.
Stephan Uersfeld is the Germany correspondent for ESPN FC. Follow him on Twitter @uersfeld.
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Source: espn.co.uk
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