Berlin football professionals Fabian Reese and Nader Jindaoui from second division club Hertha BSC paid emotional tribute to the late club president Kay Bernstein. “I remember the moments after our games when we fell into each other’s arms, beaming with joy, electrified to the tips of our hair and full of happiness,” wrote 26-year-old Reese on Instagram on Tuesday. “These precious moments are a chapter in my heart – from today on they have a golden lock and I am grateful to have been able to experience them.”
Shortly before, Bernstein’s unexpected death at the age of 43 had become known. The club initially did not provide any information about the circumstances of his death. A death investigation has now been initiated. This is a standard procedure if the cause of death is unclear, a police spokeswoman told the German Press Agency on Wednesday. There are currently no indications of suicide or external influence.
The “Tagesspiegel” and RTL had previously reported. The Frankfurt/Oder public prosecutor’s office will now decide on further measures, said the spokeswoman. This could include an autopsy of the body.
“You believed in me”
Fabian Reese, who has been playing in Berlin since last summer and has quickly become a key player and crowd favorite, continued: “We as the Hertha family have a big task and Kay would want us to move even closer together,” wrote the winger. “Feel like you’re being shouted at with passion and hugged tightly, this time my eyes aren’t wet with joy…”
Hertha BSC fans laid flowers and candles at the club’s office. : Image: dpa
Jindaoui also found moving words. “You believed in me when many people wrote me off. “I’ll never forget that,” the 27-year-old wrote. “Rest in peace Kay. History will continue to be written, for you and the Berliner Weg.” Numerous other professionals from the club also remembered the 43-year-old.
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The sadness over Bernstein’s death is huge throughout the club. There will be a public training session on Wednesday at 2 p.m., to which numerous fans are expected to come to honor the president. On Sunday (1:30 p.m. in the FAZ live ticker for the second Bundesliga and on Sky) the Berliners start the second half of the season in their home Olympic Stadium against Fortuna Düsseldorf.