Bollywood actress, Esha Gupta has faced heavy backlash on social media after her racist comments on Arsenal’s Nigerian-based footballer, Alexander Iwobi went viral.
Esha, an avid Arsenal supporter and an ambassador of the English Premier League side, criticized Iwobi’s performance in the club’s recent game on a Whatsapp conversation with her friend which she later shared as on her Instagram story.
“Solves our winger issues. I can’t see that gorilla faced Iwobi running down the flank again. He’s so bad ya,” read the screenshot, which according to IANS, was written by Esha’s friend. As a reply, Esha typed out: “Haha… I don’t know why they don’t bench him more.”
How do you feel about an Arsenal brand ambassador making these racist comments about an Arsenal Academy graduate? @Arsenal pic.twitter.com/Dfcpvl58mF
— Chris (@LondonGoona) January 27, 2019
After the criticism on Instagram, Esha took to her Twitter to apologise for her words. She tweeted,
”Guys I am sorry you thought it was racist. Was bad on my part, being a sports lover. Sorry guys, forgive the stupidity.”
Guys 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 ?? #gooner4life
— Esha Gupta (@eshagupta2811) January 27, 2019
She then went out to clarify her words during the Whatsapp conversation as out of frustration and that she failed to realise that it was directed towards racism. She tweeted,
“It was us discussing our frustration during the game.sorry as I din realise it directed towards racism. laughed over the spur of the moment, which was the games result guys. been victim of racism myself before. But this is not something m proud of. It was a fault,sorry guys”
