Burnley striker Andre Gray scored Burnley's second goal against Liverpool yesterday, and when he opened his phone post-game, he saw his twitter notifications blow up. These were not messages of congratulations, however. Instead, his incredibly offensive and bigoted tweets from four years ago were dug up: views which escaped the public eye at the time, as he was playing with Hinckley United in non-league obscurity.
Gray has now issued an apology, via said twitter feed:
Burnley have also issued a statement, via their official website:
Burnley Football Club has this evening been made aware of historical social media posts by Andre Gray, made prior to the player joining the club.
The Club would like to make it clear we do not condone any discriminatory behaviour by any employee.
The club also fully supports the FA’s Football v Homophobia campaign.
However, as Andre has made clear in a statement on his personal account, these are social posts from four years ago, and in this time he has completely transformed his life.
The player has also apologised and denied he is, in any way, shape or form homophobic.
Burnley Football Club will make no further statement on this matter.
Gray found a supporter in former teammate Joey Barton:
I know @AndreGray7 as well as anyone. And he is 100% not homophobic. One of the nicest lads you could meet.
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) August 20, 2016
Who hasn't said dumb things when they were young? Give the lad a break. It was years ago when as he has said, he was young and dumb!
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) August 20, 2016
He should be held up as an example to kids from troubled backgrounds. He has done incredible to turn his life around.
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) August 20, 2016
Don't let that deflect from how well he did today and what a fantastic result for Burnley. We all say stupid stuff. He's apologised. End of.
— Joey Barton (@Joey7Barton) August 20, 2016
