Welsh rugby star Liam Williams apologises for dressing up like Wilfried Bony

Scarlets full-back Williams was pictured in a Swansea kit - alongside three of his Scarlets colleagues - on Twitter, wearing full face paint. It is understood that Bony gave the costume his blessing.

And in a statement posted on Williams' personal Twitter account, he said: "I am very sorry for any offence caused by my actions.

"I'm not a racist and there was no malice behind it."

Williams' apology was part of a statement issued by his regional team the Scarlets.

The Scarlets said: "Scarlets is fully committed to eradicating discrimination and promoting equality for both staff and our customers by treating people fairly and according to their needs.

"Scarlets is proud of its record in promoting equality and non-discriminatory behaviour amongst all our employees, and this applies to the way we behave to members of the public and to other employees.

"No further comment will be made by Scarlets Regional Ltd or Williams on this matter."