HERTHA BERLIN became the first soccer team to take to their knees in solidarity with protests in the United States against racial inequality.

Emotional scenes at the Olympicstadion saw all eleven players kneel before kick-off against Schalke.

Coaches, backroom staff and substitutes also all took part in the demonstration in the team’s dugout.

The symbolic gesture is in solidarity with ongoing protests in the US.

A growing number of athletes are taking a knee in solidarity against police brutality... and against US President Donald Trump.

Former San Francisco 49′s quarterback Colin Kaepernick started the practice last year, taking a knee during the American national anthem before NFL games.

3 Hertha Berlin players become the first European sports team to 'take a knee' Credit: Getty - Contributor

3 And the club's support staff joined in, too Credit: Getty - Contributor

3 New Orleans Saints players and team kneel prior to the NFL match between New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins at Wembley Credit: Getty Images - Getty

At Wembley recently three Miami Dolphins players defied President Trump by taking a knee and locking arms during the US national anthem before their NFL clash.

The entire New Orleans Saints knelt before the "Star Spangled Banner" before standing with their arms locked during the song.

Saturday’s demonstration in Berlin represents the first European club to join in solidarity with the movement.

The club said on Twitter: “Hertha BSC stands for tolerance and responsibility!

"For a tolerant Berlin and an open-minded world, now and forevermore!"

The crowd cheered, again in open defiance of President Trump, who recently denounced those who do not stand for the anthem.

He recently said that NFL owners should “get that son of a bitch off the field” when “somebody disrespects our flag”.

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Since then he has continued to call for protesting players to lose their jobs and backed a boycott of the NFL.

Hertha Berlin, incidentally, lost 2-0 to Schalke thanks to second-half goals from Leon Goretzka and Guido Burgstaller.

The hosts had Genki Haraguchi sent off for a bad challenge on Burgstaller in the 44th minute.