Esha Gupta, former Miss India a well-known Arsenal fan, has come under heavy backlash for sharing racist remarks aimed at Super Eagles forward, Alex Iwobi.
Gupta, a Bollywood star posted a Whatsapp image conversation with a friend describing Iwobi as a “gorilla”.
The other person wrote: “Solves our winger issues. I can’t see that gorilla faced Iwobi running down the flank again. He’s so bad ya.”
Her reply supports this remark, reading “Hahahahahaha I honestly dunno why they don’t bench him more.”
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The other person replied: “It’s like evolution stopped for him. Didn’t change from Neanderthal to man.”
Gupta, who once dated Hector Bellerin and helped launch a new Arsenal kit back in 2017, immediately issued an apology after several fans hit back at her online insisting there was no racial intent behind it.
“Guys I’m sorry you thought it was racist. Was bad on my part, being a sports lover. Wallah never meant it. Sorry guys forgive the stupidity,” she said.
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“Well it was my fault. So gotta own up to my s***… sorry. It was us discussing our frustration during the game. Sorry as I didn’t realise it was directed towards racism”.
The 33-year old former Miss India International winner also said she had been a victim of racism before, and did not intend to be racist.
“Laughed over spur of the moment, which was the games result guys. Been a victim of racism myself before. But this is not something I’m proud of. It was a fault, sorry guys.”
Despite her apology, Twitter users slammed her for the racist post.
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https://twitter.com/mattcatdog/status/1089573271635456000?s=21
Indian actress Esha Gupta, is claiming not be racist or to be ignorant, but she called Iwobi “neanderthal” and “gorilla faced”.
How racist can you be? pic.twitter.com/RaHH1973Hy— Astra 💫 (@GideonToba) January 28, 2019
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It was definitely intended. Did you even read the reply from her friend who said Iwobi failed to evolve completely?? ''Gorilla faced'' what is unclear about this racist comment. Stop defending racism.
— LOGIC (@Mike_Tomi) January 28, 2019
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https://twitter.com/koffi_break/status/1089882803615993856?s=21
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Someone who is an @Arsenal ambassador, says Alex Iwobi is a gorilla and did not evolve.
Little wonder those fans did that to Xhaka on Friday. When some of the people who are supposed to set good example, misbehave.
AdvertisementI hope she is disappointed in herself.
— Stephen (@TILIKI_OS) January 27, 2019
Gupta is most recognised for her roles in Indian horror movie Raaz and thriller Rustom.
Meanwhile, an Arsenal spokesman said: “This person is not an official club ambassador and we totally condemn racist language of this nature which has no place in our game or society.
“As a club we work hard to break down barriers and ensure everyone feels part of the Arsenal family.”
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