This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Former Spain and Barcelona star Andrés Iniesta has been criticised on social media for posting a photo showing him with a group of people, including two in blackface, as part of the Three Kings Day celebration in Spain.

Iniesta, who was not in blackface, currently plays in Japan for Vissel Kobe.

The 34-year-old midfielder was sitting at the front of a group of 10 people taking part in epiphany celebrations.

Parades held in cities and villages across Spain feature three men dressed up as kings one of whom is traditionally black as part of the festivities.

Iniesta published the photo on his Instagram account on Sunday, triggering overwhelmingly negative reactions and calls to take it down.

Musa Okwonga (@Okwonga) I love Iniesta like few other public figures, let alone athletes. He seems a supremely humble man and team-mate. I just wonder how you can share a dressing room and so many trophies with Eric Abidal and Dani Alves and still not realise this is not cool. It's very disappointing. https://t.co/8N75ZbsFzS

Nick Bright (@NickBrightDJ) I cannot believe in 2019 famous people are still doing or are around people doing “blackface” and tweeting it, where are your friends Iniesta?! Didn’t anyone say “Andres, I don’t think this is the one bro” 🙄🤦🏻‍♂️ https://t.co/KQ3vzWWTPE

In December 2017, France striker Antoine Griezmann apologised for any offence caused after posting an image of himself on social media in blackface as part of an NBA party costume.