Brazilian midfielder Taison has said he was crying “tears of helplessness” after being sent off for reacting to racist abuse in Ukraine yesterday.
Taison was left in tears after he was shown a red card while playing for Shakhtar Donetsk against Dynamo Kiev.
He was targeted by Dynamo fans and was sent off after sticking his middle finger up to them and kicking the ball into the stands.
The 31-year-old said: “I will never shut up in such an inhuman and despicable act.
“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.
“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.”
