Now Liverpool keeper Reina caught up in race storm
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Liverpool keeper Reina caught up in race storm after offensive Spanish TV ad is pulled
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'.
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are Pool giving out tshirts again aka Suarez? may I have one??