Shakhtar Donetsk ace Taison shockingly sent off for reacting to racism by showing middle finger and kicking ball at fans
TAISON was reduced to tears after he was shockingly sent off for reacting to racial abuse from opposing fans.
The Shakhtar Donetsk midfielder, 31, stuck his middle finger up and booted the football at visiting Dynamo Kiev supporters during Ukraine's biggest derby match.
After a foul was awarded against him, Taison was jeered by a number of fans in the Metalist Stadium.
The Brazilian waved his middle finger in the air before he snatched the ball back from the goalkeeper's hands.
He drop-kicked the ball towards the away fans before the referee raced over and sent him off without hesitation.
Taison, who was linked to AC Milan in the summer, appeared to wipe away his tears as he walked off the pitch.
After a clip of the incident did the rounds on Twitter, one fan asked: "Red will get overturned surely? Shocking if not."
Another added: "Wait, so he was racially abused and got sent off for his reaction? F*** the ref."
And one claimed: "Football is finished. F****** disgusting."
After the match, Donetsk tweeted a picture of Taison with the caption: "You are the best! We are with you guys! #NoRacism."
And the Ukrainian side released a statement to condemn the behaviour of the racist supporters.
It read: "FC Shakhtar statement regarding the incident at the Shakhtar Ukrainian Championship match - Dynamo
"FC Shakhtar categorically opposes any manifestations of racism, racial discrimination, xenophobia and related intolerance.
"There can be no justification for those who insult based on colour, religious or political beliefs.
"Such behaviour is unacceptable in civilised countries and football championships.
"UEFA applies the most stringent sanctions to clubs and associations whose fans show racism in matches.
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"FC Shakhtar is a large football family, to whom such humiliating incidents bring pain and disappointment.
"We condemn this behaviour of the audience, we will always support and protect our players. We urge football authorities, clubs to stop racism in stadiums."
It comes just a week after Roma's match against Napoli was temporarily suspended after fans racially abused Kalidou Koulibaly.