Last updated on .From the section European Football

Shakhtar said Taison was in tears after the abuse

The Ukrainian FA has been accused of "playing into the hands" of racists after midfielder Taison was given a one-match ban following a red card he received for reacting to racist abuse.

Shakhtar Donetsk's Taison, 31, made a gesture towards Dynamo Kiev fans and kicked the ball at them during his side's 1-0 win.

The referee took the players off the pitch in the 77th minute.

When they returned five minutes later, Taison was shown a red card.

"We are very disappointed by the decision of the Ukrainian FA to hand Taison a one-match ban," world players' union Fifpro said.

"Sanctioning a victim of racial abuse is beyond comprehension and it plays into the hands of those who promote this kind of disgraceful behaviour."

The Ukrainian Association of Football (UAF) confirmed the suspension on Thursday.

The UAF also ordered Dynamo to play one game behind closed doors and pay a fine of £16,000. They will be on probation for the rest of the season.

Taison and fellow Brazilian Dentinho were targeted by racist abuse during the match on 10 November. Dynamo fans were twice warned about their behaviour.

Video on social media external-link shows both Brazilians in tears.

"It's terrible when such things happen in football," said Shakhtar midfielder Marcos Antonio after the match. "The game needs real fans instead of the people who come to the stadium and behave like that, not respecting the athletes.

"We need to work on this because such episodes upset us all."