DIEGO MARADONA said yesterday that there was nothing racist about his exchange with an Asian fan during Argentina’s draw with Iceland.

British television staff working in Spartak Stadium in Moscow during the 1-1 stalemate on Saturday reported seeing Maradona respond to South Korea fans calling his name.

On Twitter, BBC presenter Jacqui Oatley posted that Maradona “obliged with a smile, kiss and wave. Then pulled his eyes to the side in a clearly racist gesture.”