UEFA has opened an investigation into the conduct of BATE Borisov supporters after Shakhtar Donetsk striker Luiz Adriano reported being racially abused during Tuesday's Champions League group-stage clash.
After scoring five goals in Shakhtar's 7-0 win in Belarus, the 27-year-old was quoted as saying by the club's official website: "There were unpleasant shouts, racist ones. Supporters behaved improperly and that is why I am disappointed and feel resentment. It was an ugly act from their side."
UEFA has since announced it has opened disciplinary proceedings against BATE over the "racist behaviour of supporters."
The case is due to be dealt with by UEFA's disciplinary body at a meeting in Nyon on Nov. 13.
BATE have conceded their supporters were in the wrong to abuse Adriano and issued an official statement apologising for the incident.
The statement read: "FC BATE Borisov would like to offer our sincerest apologies to FC Shakthar Donetsk and personally to Luiz Adriano de Souza da Silva for the racist incident that took place during the UEFA Champions League game between FC BATE Borisov and FC Shakhtar Donetsk.
"For us the incident was a very frustrating surprise which is really shameful, especially in front of our friends from Donetsk. We do not in any case share the views of some of our so-called 'supporters' and consider such behaviour improper and unacceptable. We would like to call all spectators to respect the diversity creating a friendly and tolerant atmosphere at Borisov-Arena.
"We would like to stress that we are making this statement not because the club now will be sanctioned by UEFA, but only because we consider such behaviour to be completely barbaric and idiotic. We hope that it will never be repeated in our stadium."
Adriano enjoyed a record-breaking night on Tuesday, becoming the first player to score four goals in the first half of a Champions League game, while he also scored the fastest three goals in the competition's history in seven minutes.
The striker also overtook Andrey Vorobey to become Shakhtar's all-time top scorer with 115 goals, while he became only the second player in history to net five goals in a single Champions League game -- the other being Lionel Messi.