Blackpool defender 'wholeheartedly' apologises for historic homophobic comments
The posts were made back in 2012 and 2013
Last updated 18th May 2022
Just days after Blackpool's Jake Daniels became the first openly gay male footballer in Britain since 1990 - one of his fellow teammates has apologised for homophobic comments made on social media in the past.
Tangerines defender Marvin Ekpiteta released a statement saying he "whole-heartedly apologises" and that the comments he made as a 17 year old "don't reflect the values he holds now".
17-year-old Daniels came out publicly on Monday (16th May) and has received widespread support from footballers, celebrities and the public - but it's now highlighted posts made by Epkiteta from 2012 and 2013 - when the defender was 17-years-old.
The 26-year-old has now deleted the offending posts and issued an apology on social media last night. It said:
"Today, social media posts I made in 2012 and 2013 have been highlighted," the defender said in a statement on Twitter.
"I want to wholeheartedly apologise for the offensive and completely inappropriate language I used, and for the sentiments I expressed.
"As a footballer, and in the years spent in work, before I became a professional player, I've been fortunate to have worked with a wide and diverse range of people. Throughout this period, I have developed and grown as a person.
"Yesterday, I was proud of Jake and all involved at Blackpool FC for what is a hugely positive moment for football as a whole.
"I am embarrassed by the comments I made as a 17-year-old, nearly a decade ago, which do not in any way reflect the values I hold now or the beliefs I have as a person or as a team-mate.
"Football needs to be a place where everyone can feel free to be true to themselves, and I am upset that the comments I previously made suggest otherwise.
"I take full responsibility for these posts, and I am sorry."