Emmanuel Frimpong has claimed that he was racially abused by fans in an incident which saw the midfielder sent off after showing his middle finger to the crowd.

The 23-year-old was playing for FC Ufa in their Russian Premier League match against Spartak Moscow, and admits that he will likely be punished despite being the subject of jeers from the home fans.

Frimpong tweeted: "First off, want to apologize for the sending off after being provoked. Shouldn't have happened but also I am a human being and shouldn't be racially abused for the game that I love.

"I'm going to serve a sentence for being abused."

The former Arsenal player also raised doubts about Russia's hosting of the 2018 World Cup following the incident.