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Pepe Reina in race row over Spanish TV advert

Liverpool keeper Reina caught up in race storm after offensive Spanish TV ad is pulled

A Spanish company has been forced to pull an advert featuring Liverpool keeper Pepe Reina following complaints from a racial equality group.

The commercial, for insurance company Groupama, depicts black people as 'stupid, backward, animalistic homosexuals', according to Operation Black Vote.

Reina's name translates into English as 'queen' and in the ad shown on Spanish television the Reds stopper is introduced to a tribal chief who chooses him as his partner.

OBV director Simon Woolley said in a statement: 'I'm shocked on so many levels.

'Firstly, how would the Spanish feel
if the English stereotyped Spanish people as backward, stupid, and
animalistic homosexuals

'Secondly, what does this say about
Pepe Reina The Liverpool goalkeeper has lived and worked in the UK for
nearly a decade, does he think it's ok to characterise black people this

'Does he think his black team mates will laugh at his joke'

Controversial: Pepe Reina in the Spanish advert

Controversial: Pepe Reina in the Spanish advert

Liverpool have already been at the
centre of a race row this season after striker Luis Suarez was banned
for eight matches for abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra
during a match in October.

The Uruguayan then refused to shake Evra's hand when the teams met again at Old Trafford and later issued an apology.

OBV, referring to Reina, said it was a
'shame' that another Liverpool player had caused offence.

claim they do not consider the advert to contain 'either offensive nor
any discriminatory content'.