Hertha BSC pays special tribute to its late president Kay Bernstein. The run-up to the game against Fortuna Düsseldorf will be a moving memorial ceremony in the Olympic Stadium.
After the sudden death of Kay Bernstein, Hertha BSC turned the run-up to the second division game against Fortuna Düsseldorf into a dignified memorial service for its late president. Any form of usual cheerful prelude to the game was dispensed with. Even when the lineups of both teams were announced, the fans of both clubs remained silent.
Muffled music was playing. The Hertha professionals warmed up in black T-shirts with the print “We Herthaners in deep mourning”. In the center circle was a round banner with the same words. When John Lennon’s song Imagine sounded, the Hertha players applauded the fans, who applauded back in a muted manner. The Hertha anthem (“We just won’t go home”) was intoned slowly.
Dardai emotional
A minute’s silence was held before kick-off. Hertha coach Pal Dardai had tears in his eyes. Interim President Fabian Drescher, Bernstein’s friend and former deputy, and Managing Director Thomas Herrisch watched the ceremony arm in arm in the stands.
“Kay was a person who touched us. He was a person who never spoke down from above. He never asked what was good for Kay. He always asked what was good for Hertha BSC,” said Hertha -Trainer Pal Dardai at Sky. Placed on Bernstein’s spot in the stands was his signature blue and white club jacket, megaphone and white roses.
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In the east curve, where Bernstein once stood as lead singer of the Ultras, a banner read: “We water your tree with our tears – you will live forever in our hearts.” After his election as president, Bernstein planted a tree on the club’s premises – as a “tender plant of hope” for the club.
A service was broadcast from the chapel of the Olympic Stadium on Sunday around an hour before the game kicked off. Pastor Bernhard Felmberg praised Bernstein as an extraordinary person who united the club and the people in difficult times.
The stadium screens showed black-and-white photos of Bernstein from his life as a fan leader up to the presidential era. The band around the stadium was a large black banner. Bernstein died unexpectedly on Tuesday at the age of 43. Previously, around 7,000 people marched silently to the Olympic Stadium in a funeral march. There was a huge photo of Bernstein at the entrance to the east curve.
Source: Stern
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