Hertha Berlin players kneel in solidarity with NFL

Kneeling during the national anthem at NFL games has become a form of protest against treatment of African-Americans since last season and it has continued through the current campaign, with some players kneeling and others standing arm-in-arm.

"Berlin is colourful," an Olympic stadium announcer said before the game. "Hertha stands for diversity and is against violence. For this reason, we are joining with the protest of fellow American athletes to take a stand against discrimination.

"For a tolerant Berlin, now and forever."

The gesture is intended to call attention to what protesting NFL players see as a pattern of racism in the treatment of African-Americans by U.S. police.

The issue has been made more significant when U.S. President Donald Trump said last month that players who did not stand during the anthem should be fired.