The photograph, which has been running as a full-page newspaper spread in Spain since Friday, shows all 15 players making the gesture on a basketball court adorned with a Chinese dragon.

 

The photo was part of a publicity campaign for team sponsor Seur and is being used only in Spain.

 

Jose Manuel Calderon, Spain's point who plays for the NBA side Toronto Raptors, said: "We felt it was something appropriate, and that it would be interpreted as an affectionate gesture.

 

“Without a doubt, some…press didn’t see it that way.”

 

Indeed, the Spanish team was booed during their match with China in Beijing last night, which they won 85-75, a second successive victory in the Olympic tournament for the world champions.

 

The negative publicity has also been unwelcome to Madrid's bid to follow London 2012 and host the 2016 Olympics.

 

Spain has been dogged by accusations of racism for several years now, most recently in February when Britain's black Formula One driver Lewis Hamilton was subjected to abuse at the Barcelona circuit.

 

Juan Antonio Villanueva, the communications director for Madrid’s 2016 Olympic bid, said: “We’re surprised by the remarks of racism.

 

“Spain is not a racist country - quite the opposite.”

 

It has been claimed that the photograph was arranged by the sportswear company of Li Ning, the final torchbearer at the opening ceremony last Friday, who has just signed a four-year extension with the Spanish Basketball Federation to sponsor them.

 

Villanueva said: “The players explained what happened.

 

"We think that’s enough.”

 

Calderon said: “We have great respect for the far East and its people, some of my best friends in Toronto are originally Chinese.

 

“Whoever wants to interpret it differently is completely confusing it.”