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Espanyol's Sergio Garcia has denied he is racist after he allegedly called Barcelona defender Samuel Umtiti a "black s***".

The pair clashed throughout the Catalan rivals' 1-1 draw on Sunday before Garcia reportedly aimed the slur at Umtiti.

The pair argued on the pitch after the final whistle and then in the tunnel before Gerard Pique intervened to separate the pair.

Garcia took to Instagram on Monday to defend himself.

(Image: Sky Sports) (Image: Sky Sports) (Image: REX/Shutterstock)

He wrote: "First of all, to clarify, I already spoke with Samuel yesterday.

“In no way was it my intention to be racist. You all know my wife is from gypsy roots and I grew up in a neighbourhood with every race in the world.

“My brother-in-law [former Espanyol player John Cordoba], who I have a firm friendship with, is African-American too. In the tension of the game a lot of things are said that should stay on the pitch.”

Garcia later made his social media account private.

Referee Jesus Gil Manzano noted the incidents but did not note the specific details of the exchange.

(Image: REX/Shutterstock) (Image: REUTERS) (Image: Getty Images Europe)