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Tearful Shakhtar captain Taison sent off despite being racially abused in Ukraine

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Tearful Shakhtar captain Taison sent off despite being racially abused in Ukraine
191111 Fotboll, Premier League Soccer Football - Ukrainian Premier League - Shakhtar Donetsk v Dynamo Kiev - Metalist Stadium, Kharkiv, Ukraine - November 10, 2019. Dynamo Kiev's Viktor Tsygankov and Mykola Shaparenko console Shakhtar Donetsk's Taison, who reacts to presumed racist insults. Picture taken November 10, 2019. REUTERS/Oleksandr Osipov © Bildbyrån - COP 7 - SWEDEN ONLY

Shocking scenes that prove that racism is still present all over the world.

The Brazilian was left in tears before receiving a red card for making a gesture at the Dynamo fans.

Shakhtar Donetsk captain Taison on Sunday was sent off for kicking the ball at Dynamo Kiev fans after they targeted him with racist abuse.

Taison left the field in tears after his red card for “unsporting behaviour”, which came when he reacted to the insults from away supporters in the 74th minute of the Ukrainian Premier League clash, at the Metalist stadium in Kharkiv, by first giving them the finger before kicking the ball at them.

The Brazilian, who joined Shakhtar in 2012, was consoled by Dynamo players. Countryman and teammate Dentinho also broke down in tears.

“I will never shut up in such an inhuman and despicable act,” Taison said afterwards, before continuing to have his say on social media. “My tears were of indignation, repudiation and helplessness, helplessness that I could do nothing at that moment! But we are taught early on to be strong and to fight! Fight for our rights and for equality!”

Tearful Shakhtar captain Taison sent off despite being racially abused in Ukraine
© Bildbyrån

Taison has played eight times for Brazil, with compatriots Neymar, Fernandinho, Douglas Costa and Bernard among those sending messages of support: “My role is to fight, to beat my chest, to lift my head and keep fighting always. In a racist society, it is not enough not to be racist, we must be anti-racist! Football needs more respect, the world needs more respect!”

In a statement, Shakhtar said that it “categorically opposes any form of racism”, adding that “nothing can justify insulting people because of their skin colour, their religion or their political opinions”.

Police in the city of Kharkiv, where Shakhtar plays, say they are searching for around 20 Dynamo Kiev fans and have opened criminal proceedings on allegations of “violation of citizens’ equality” due to race, nationality, religion or disability.

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