Blackpool defender Marvin Ekpiteta has apologized for historic homophobic social media posts that embarrassed him in the wake of his team-mate Jake Daniels comes out as gay.
On Monday, the 17-year-old Blackpool the striker has come out publicly, becoming the first openly gay male footballer in Britain to do so while playing since Justin Fashanu in 1990.
After Daniels’ announcement, which was met with widespread supportEkpiteta’s posts from 2012 and 2013 containing homophobic tones were highlighted.
Ekpiteta, 26, later deleted the offending posts and issued an unqualified apology expressing regret for his actions a decade ago “which in no way reflect the values I stand for now”.
In response, Daniels tweeted: “What you said 10 years ago at 17 does not define the man you are today. I’m proud to be your teammate and part of the Blackpool family – we all take football forward together.
Ekpiteta wrote on Twitter: “Messages I posted on social media in 2012 and 2013 have been highlighted,” the defender wrote on Twitter. “I would like to sincerely apologize for the offensive and completely inappropriate language I used and for the feelings I expressed.
“As a footballer, and in the years I spent working, before becoming a professional player, I had the chance to work with a wide range of people. Throughout this period, I evolved and grew in Yesterday I was proud of Jake and everyone involved at Blackpool FC for what is a hugely positive moment for football as a whole.
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“I am embarrassed by comments I made at age 17, almost a decade ago, which in no way reflect the values I currently hold or the beliefs I hold as a person or as a as a teammate.
“Football should be a place where everyone can feel free to be true to themselves, and I am upset that the comments I have made previously suggest otherwise. I take full responsibility for these messages, and I’m sorry.
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