The players and staff of Bundesliga side Hertha Berlin took a knee before their game against Schalke on Saturday afternoon.
Hertha's players were cheered by the Olympiastadion crowd when the starting 11 (including former Chelsea star Salomon Kalou) all linked arms in their own half before kickoff and knelt of the pitch.
According to Hertha's Twitter account, the club "stands for tolerance and responsibility". The side's first-team squad has players from over ten separate countries.
Hertha's action is the first by a major sports team outside of the United States. In recent weeks the numbers of NFL players who kneel before games has increased massively.
President Donald Trump has also become involved in the situation. Trump has regularly tweeted about the players and their alleged disrespect of the American anthem.
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
#TakeAKnee pic.twitter.com/HavMOiSHp7
— Hertha Berlin (@HerthaBSC_EN) October 14, 2017
While Hertha's actions may have gained them goodwill around the world, it didn't help their performance on the pitch, losing 2-0 to Schalke.
SEE ALSO: Mike Pence Walks Out Of NFL Match After Players Kneel During The Anthem
