Bollywood star Esha Gupta has apologised after she shared comments that compared Arsenal winger Alex Iwobi to a gorilla.
Gupta, who is an Arsenal club ambassador, has claimed she did not know the comments were racist but irate fans have called on the Gunners to take action.The actor, 33, posted a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation with Varun_Gupta17 to her 3.4million Instagram followers.
In the image, she received messages which read: “Solves our winger issues. I can’t see that gorilla faced Iwobi running down the flank again. He’s so bad ya.”
Gupta replied: “Hahahahahaha I honestly dunno why they don’t bench him more.”
Varun_Gupta17 then responded: “It’s like evolution stopped for him. Didn’t change from Neanderthal to man.”
The post was quickly deleted from her profile but furious fans had already taken a screenshot and called her out for the racist remarks.
Gupta responded to the furore on Twitter as she said: “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.”
The Bollywood star went on to claim that she acted out of frustration following Arsenal’s 3-1 FA Cup defeat to Manchester United .
“I didn’t realise it directed towards racism,” Gupta, who previously dated Gunner full-back Hector Bellerin, added. “Laughed over the spur of the moment, which was the games (sic) result guys.
“Been victim of racism myself before. But this is not something I’m proud of.”
However, supporters have urged Arsenal to take action against the model and actor.