Italian club Rioveggio paint faces black in calamitous anti-racism protest

Rioveggio's misguided anti-racism protest (Getty Images)

After the disgraceful racist abuse Yaya Toure suffered during Manchester City's clash with CSKA Moscow on Wednesday, pictures have emerged of a lower league Italian side's misguided protest against racism in football.

Rioveggio, a lower league club near Bolgona, decided to make a stand after their Togolese player Teibou Koura was sent off for shoving an opponent who had reportedly shouted "shut up n*****" at him.

However the manner of their protest was a decided own goal as they chose to black up their faces in a rather mistaken sign of unity.

The players and coaches held a banner that read 'NO to Racism' although the fact that they had all painted their faces black slightly undermined their undoubtedly good intentions.