Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin have shown solidarity with US sports stars by taking a knee ahead of their game with Schalke on Saturday afternoon.
Hertha players gathered close to the centre circle and linked arms before each adopting the position with their coaching staff and substitutes also kneeling on the touchline. The gesture was greeted with cheers from the Olympiastadion crowd.
‘Hertha BSC stands for tolerance and responsibility,’ a tweet from the club read. ‘For a tolerant Berlin and an open-minded world, 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 BSC (EN) (@HerthaBSC_EN) October 14, 2017
The #HerthaBerlin players took a knee before the match to protest inequality!! ✊🏽#TakeAKnee #NFL https://t.co/7YL708GDqF
— Diego Montalvan (@DMontalvan) October 14, 2017
Many NFL players have taken a knee ahead of their games in recent weeks, with teams from other American sports also repeating the gesture. It has, however, drawn criticism from President Donald Trump, who had criticised those who chose to take a knee instead of standing for the national anthem – even going as far as suggesting that players should lose their jobs for doing so.
