When Taison sees red, he’s not the only one crying

At the top game in Ukraine, there is a racism scandal. The victim, the Brazilian Taison, sees red. He is not the only one who starts crying after the referee’s scandalous decision.

Europe’s football is shaken by another racist blatant. Only a few weeks after the scandalous incidents on the sidelines of the qualifying match for the European Championship between Bulgaria and England, Ukraine was now the scene of ugly scenes.

77 minutes were spent in the summit meeting between Schachtjor Donezk and Dynamo Kiew (1:0) when monkey sounds and other racist insults sounded from the guest block. The trigger was a harmless foul by Schachtjor’s Brazilian striker Taison, who then blew the fuses.

Angrily, he snatched the ball from Kiev goalkeeper Heorhii Bushchan’s hands and pushed it towards the rioting away fans. Not only was insulting continued there – banners with the inscription “Yes to Racism” were also held up.

Referee Mykola Balakin, who was already part of the “No to Racism” campaign as a Uefa referee, interrupted the game. Also, he did not hesitate for long and showed Taison Red. The Brazilian international opened his eyes in amazement, filling them with tears a few moments later. He cried with “indignation, anger and helplessness,” the 31-year-old later stated: “I felt helpless because there was nothing I could do.”

This feeling not only crept him alone. Schachtjor Donezk, who has been a regular in the Champions League for years and is still in the midst of the battle for a place in the Round of 16 in the premier league this year, has always been home to many South American players. Taison was joined by his compatriot Dentinho in tears, while coach Luis Castro from Portugal watched the scenes with a petrified face on the bench.

Other teammates comforted the two Brazilians as well as Dynamo Kiev players. It almost seemed as if they, too, were embarrassed by the suspension of their opponents’ most dangerous attacker. “We are with you. You’re the best,” Schachtjor twittered after the game, adding photos of Taison and Dentinho to the message.

League announces investigation

The next day the Ukrainian football league has condemned the incidents “in the strongest terms” and announced an investigation. The competent disciplinary authority should investigate the incidents and hold all parties to account in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations, the league announced in a statement on Monday. This probably includes the referee Balakin, whose decision had caused great indignation worldwide.

“I will never shut up in such an inhuman and despicable situation,” Taison wrote to Instagram. In a racist society, it is not enough not to be racist. One must act anti-racist. “Football needs more respect,” demanded the Brazilian.