[Video] The Pepe Reina TV Ad That’s Caused A Race Row In Spain

By Football Talk Published: 1st March 2012

Liverpool goalkeeper Pepe Reina is at the centre of a race row in Spain after a television advert he featured in was pulled from air last night.

The stopper appears in an advert for Spanish insurance company Groupama where he is chosen as a partner by a black tribal chief. The ad is meant to be humorous as Reina translates into ‘Queen’ in English, so the tribal ‘King’ chooses his ‘Queen’.

But British group Operation Black Vote has hit out at the advert claiming it is racially insensitive and this has forced the ad to be pulled. Here are quotes from Director Simon Woolley the OBV website:

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 characterise Black people this way? Does he think his Black team mates will laugh at his joke?”

Watch the advert below. Is it racially insensitive? Or just a bit of fun?

James says:

How bloody sad is that. I thought it was funny. In what sense is this racist? It comedy!

The British black group are all up themselfs and I wonder if there are any white members in the group? oh wait its a racist group no white people allowed only blacks?? Does this mean there going to be banning Ace Ventura when nature calls?

There complaining the advert makes is racist? how? The king can see Reina is a bloke. Maybe this black group are against Gay people, and thats why they have a problem with it.

People are to afriad to stand up to this garbage and its getting a joke. What has the British black group got to do with Spanish TV anyway?

9:33 am on March 1, 2012

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Joe says:

What an non event…what a horrible world this pc world is becoming

9:59 am on March 1, 2012

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- chris from Cambridge says:
  
  Agreed
  
  8:30 pm on March 1, 2012
  
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Bomber25 says:

Surely, Liverpool cannot be blamed for Pepe’s activities outside of the club’s control? This is not a matter for Liverpool Football Club.

10:00 am on March 1, 2012

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dee says:

The UTD SCUM propaganda machine in full flow again

10:13 am on March 1, 2012

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Greg says:

Are some black people gay? Yes
Are some black people stupid? Yes
Are some black people backwards? Yes

Does this advert imply every black person on the planet is gay, stupid, and backwards? NO!!!
No black person can ever play the roll of a gay, stupid, backward, murderer, pedo, toilet cleaner or poor person. They are only allowed to play Gods, Immortal, Kings, Rich, Powerful, Great and Inspiring people. Well I’m glad we have sorted that out

10:20 am on March 1, 2012

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jim says:

“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?” I can say as i irish person you english have me stereotyping us as both stupid and backward for about 800 years….who cares people are so sensitive get over it..this video is nothing

11:14 am on March 1, 2012

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Nick says:

Pathetic attempt to try and prolong the difficulties following the Suarez saga. I think if anything, this only cheapens and makes a mockery of the battle to stamp out racism and prejudice… Stinks of an agenda on behalf of those that are neither positioned to have an impartial view nor want to.

11:16 am on March 1, 2012

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Blackman says:

I am a black man and i think that someone needs to sue this f$%^&*g OBV they are a f@#$%^g disgrace now im not African but i am Aboriginal and i find that more people in the world are getting sick of all the bullshit and rightly so when people are crying racism every time a white guy puts on a black shirt. I would also just like to point out that the guy standing beside Reina is in fact black, was he offended? or any other black people in the add. What a f$%^&#g JOKE let me apologise on behalf of the black people that just want to get on with life.

11:42 am on March 1, 2012

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- chris from Cambridge says:
  
  Well said.
  
  8:32 pm on March 1, 2012
  
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smithy says:

looks like the fun police are out again, this was just meant as a bit of fun and not intended to offend anyone. some people need to get a grip and get on with life

12:14 pm on March 1, 2012

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Joey says:

lol i black and from africa. What was wrong with that advert!!

1:02 am on March 2, 2012

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