Bollywood star Esha Gupta is in hot water for a racially charged remark about Nigerian Arsenal star Alex Iwobi.
The 33-year-old actress, who Business Standards writes also serves as an Indian ambassador to the English Premier League club, posted a screenshot of a WhatsApp conversation between her and a friend to her Instagram story Sunday.
Just been blocked. To recap:
1. Esha Gupta posts racist comments about Iwobi.
2. Gupta apologises for anyone who thinks she’s being racist, but doesn’t apologise for the racism.
3. Gupta blocks anyone who calls her out.
Is this acceptable, @Arsenal? pic.twitter.com/EaQshyozu8
— Dan Critchlow (@afcDW) January 27, 2019
In the now-deleted post, Gupta and her friend joked about the forward's looks, saying they couldn't see "that gorilla faced Iwobi running down the flank again."
Fans of the club were disgusted with the Jannat 2 star's comments and called on Arsenal officials to remove Gupta from her post as ambassador to the club and furthermore ban her from attending future matches.
@AFTVMedia
@TroopzAFC
@ArsenalMoh8 Are you guys aware of the Racism from so called “Arsenal Fan and Ambassador” Esha Gupta towards Alex Iwobi. Please look at the screenshot and bring awareness to this. Only right she gets banned from the Arsenal pic.twitter.com/zVxVQwYjeW— EB-FPL7 (@EB_FPL7) January 27, 2019
Dear @Arsenal I as an Indian am ashamed with Esha Gupta's sick mindset and would like to apologize. I am a @ManUtd supporter and always engage in friendly banter with my Gooner mates. But this is unacceptable in football. Hope you ban her for life! https://t.co/Hz6iSDqXjG
— Kunal ???????? (@RunMUFC) January 27, 2019
Being an ambassador of a club like @Arsenal, the way Esha Gupta had acted is totally inappropriate and racist and should never be tolerated. #Arsenal
— Harish (@harishAFC) January 28, 2019
After facing considerable backlash, Gupta issued a mea culpa via her Twitter account hours later. However, many didn't buy the model's apology, as the wording implied she was sorry fans thought it was racist, rather than accepting she made a racist remark.
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
Shortly after, she released a follow-up to her first apology.
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
— Esha Gupta (@eshagupta2811) January 27, 2019
This brought on even more dissatisfaction from supporters, who drew ire because instead of acknowledging her fault, she attempted to shift the conversation from her original comment to claiming she has been a victim of racism herself.
Nothing ceases to surprise me on Twitter but Esha Gupta's blatant racism and even more tone deaf apology has me lost for words
— Mitesh (@MiteshMUFC) January 27, 2019
So after Esha Gupta’s racist rant about Alexandre Iwobi of @arsenal, her apology consisted “thought it was racist” while it clearly was, and to chicken out of the situation she started victimising herself by saying she suffered from racism,
— Sanket T. Marwah (@sanket_marwah75) January 28, 2019
There is no official word from Arsenal Football Club on if it plans to discipline Gupta for her disparaging words. Unfortunately, this is not the first time Black athletes playing on Premier League clubs have faced instances of racism.
In December, Manchester City player Raheem Sterling was a victim of racial abuse during a soccer match by four supporters of opposing team Chelsea. Per The Guardian, Chelsea Football Club consequently banned the fans from attending future games as the investigation continues.
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