“It is extremely gratifying when athletes live up to their status as role models, which they are always urged to be, and raise their voices over such a completely unacceptable development,” Hoermann told public broadcasters ZDF.

“I can only encourage them: say what you think. Show what you feel. I can only hope that the federations and organizations show the right judgement in evaluating these actions.”

Several Bundesliga players had protested in various ways over the weekend after the death of George Floyd in police custody in the United States which has led to anti-racism demonstrations.

“When unacceptable things happen worldwide, it is not just the right, but the duty of sport to speak out,” Hoermann said.

German Football Federation (DFB) president Fritz Keller had expressed understanding and “great respect” for the protests from Schalke’s US player Weston McKennie, Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho and others.

Under DFB statutes players cannot show “political, religious or personal slogans” at games, and the DFB has said its control committee must now determine whether the players are to be sanctioned.

DFB sports court chairman Hans E Lorenz told dpa Tuesday: “I have no doubt that the control committee will treat the issue with prudence and judgement” and that in the past players normally got a warning.

McKennie told Forbes magazine he was subject to racism himself and was ready to accept possible sanctions for wearing an armband with the slogan “Justice for George” in a game against Werder Bremen.

“If I have to face the consequences to express my opinion, express my feelings, stand up for what I believe in – then I have to do it,” he said.