Players and officials from the German side Hertha Berlin took a knee ahead of their Bundesliga game this weekend, to show solidarity with the NFL anthem protests.
Images show the team gathering in the middle of the pitch at Hertha stadium and taking a knee while linking up arm-in-arm, before kick-off against Schalke.
Meanwhile, the management and staff of Hertha also took a knee in the dugout to the applause of the crowd.
ESPN writes that the stadium announcer explained the reason for the gesture to the fans before the game.
"Berlin is colourful. 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
Schalke won the tie 2-0.
NFL players across America have been taking a knee during the pre-match anthem over the last few weeks, in response to comments made by Donald Trump.
Players initially participated in the protest to raise awareness of racial injustice in America. This in turn prompted the US President to condemn them for 'disrespecting the flag' and say that those players should be fired.
He also encouraged the public to leave the stadium if they see players kneeling during the anthem. His statments resulted in United States vice-president Mike Pence walking out of an NFL game last Sunday after several players took a knee during the national anthem prior to kick-off.
