I don't think he's racist. I just think he's very ill, says Galliano's 'victim'

London, Mar 12 (ANI): A man who was apparently verbally abused by John Galliano has come to the defense of the disgraced designer.

Philippe Virgitti, who filed a police complaint along with pal Geraldine Bloch, has dismissed the matter as a 'simple bar dispute', reports the Daily Mail.

Galliano was dismissed as creative director for couture house Christian Dior following allegations he hurled anti-Semitic abuse at Virgitti and Bloch during a night out in Paris, France last month (Feb11).

The 50-year-old designer also faces up to six months in prison regarding the same.

But Virgitti has now broken his silence about the allegations.

Virgitti, a receptionist from an Asian background, said of Galliano: "I don't think he's racist or anti-Semitic. I just think he's very ill."

The claim, made to Le Parisian newspaper, will be looked at closely by magistrates and could even see Galliano's trial abandoned.

A legal source close to the case explained: "Mr Galliano did not physically hurt anybody - the allegations are simply about what he said. If he was solely involved in some drunken banter, rather than anything overtly racist, then there is no case against him." (ANI)