Espanyol forward Sergio Garcia has rejected suggestions he made racist comments towards Samuel Umtiti in Sunday’s Catalan derby.
Allegations against Garcia suggested he racially abused the Cameroonian-born defender during a typically-heated derby match at the RCDE Stadium.
“Yesterday I spoke with Samuel but in no instance, was my spirit racist,” Garcia wrote on his Instagram account.
“You all know that my wife is of gypsy ethnicity and that I grew up in a neighbourhood with all the races of the world.
“I share a strong friendship with my brother-in-law, who is also an African-American.
“In many of these matches they are heated and what is said on the pitch must stay on the pitch.
“Força Espanyol!”
