Ukrainian police looking for fans who racially abused Taison

KHARKIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukrainian police say they want to identify and find about 20 Dynamo Kyiv fans as part of an investigation into racist abuse directed at Shakhtar Donetsk player Taison.

The Brazilian midfielder left the field in tears after reacting to the abuse in Sunday’s game by showing an obscene gesture and kicking the ball in the direction of Dynamo’s fans. He was then given a red card.

Police in the city of Kharkiv, where Shakhtar plays, say they have opened criminal proceedings on allegations of “violation of citizens’ equality” due to race, nationality, religion or disability.

Taison, who has played eight times for Brazil, said on Instagram on Sunday that he “will never stay quiet after seeing such an inhuman and despicable act.”