Beijing: Argentina international Ezequiel Lavezzi has apologised to his Chinese fans over a photo leaked online in which he pulls back his eyes with his fingers in a gesture widely seen as offensive.
The Hebei China Fortune forward said in a statement on the team’s microblog that he had intended no offence when the picture was taken as part of a pre-season photo shoot.
“The club has discussed this matter with Lavezzi, who said he meant no racial offence and apologised deeply for any harmful impression that it created,” the club said in a statement on Sunday.
Lavezzi joined Hebei last year from Paris Saint-Germain as one of a clutch of high-priced signings by teams in the Chinese league. The team is coached by former Real Madrid and Manchester City manager Manuel Pellegrini.
