Controversial: Pepe Reina in the Spanish advert
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0aHy_W4Hmo4&feature=player_embedded
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
way?
'Does he think his black team mates will laugh at his
joke?'
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.
Groupama claim they do not consider the advert to contain
'either offensive nor any discriminatory content'.