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Former Barcelona and Spain midfielder Andres Iniesta has apologised after posting a photograph of himself with two people in blackface as part of Epiphany celebrations in Spain.

The image shows Iniesta, 34, his wife, two of his children and a group dressed in costumes related to Three Kings Day.

Two of the group are painted black - the role of Balthazar in Spain is often played by a white man in blackface.

A statement said Iniesta did not want to "bother" anyone with the photograph.

On Tuesday night, the photo had not been removed from the Vissel Kobe player's social media.

"[Iniesta] apologises to those people who may have been offended," the statement, released by Iniesta's representatives, added.