Burnley striker Andre Gray apologises for homophobic tweets

Andre Gray of Burnley during the Sky Bet Championship match between Bristol City and Burnley at Ashton Gate on August 29, 2015
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Burnley striker Andre Gray apologises and asks "for forgiveness" after homophobic posts from his Twitter account dating back to 2012 were shared on social media.
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Burnley striker Andre Gray has apologised after homophobic posts from his Twitter account were shared on social media.

One tweet from the 25-year-old, dating back to 2012, read: "Is it me or are there gays everywhere? #Burn #Die #Makesmesick".

Gray, who was at non-League Hinckley United at the time, stressed that he was now a "completely different person" to the one who posted the messages.

His apology in full read: "I would like to respond to media reports with regards to previous tweets posted from my Twitter account.

"Firstly, I want to offer a sincere and unreserved apology to anybody I may have offended in relation to these tweets. The tweets were posted four years ago when I was a completely different person to the man I am now. I was at a very different point in my life back then - one that I've worked hard to move on from.

"Thankfully a lot has changed in my life since then. I have experienced a lot over the past four years and have had to take responsibility for a number of things in my life which has enabled me to mature and grow as a person since that time.

"I have a lot of regrets regarding a number of things I've done in the past and realise I have made some big mistakes, none more so than these tweets, but I would like to stress that I've worked incredibly hard to completely transform my life since that time.

"To clarify, I do not hold the beliefs written in those tweets whatsoever. I can assure everybody that I am absolutely not homophobic and as said previously I can only apologise and ask for forgiveness to anyone I offended.

"Thankfully I am not the guy I was back then and will continue to work hard both on and off the pitch to become a better person."

The tweets, which have now been deleted, were highlighted on the day Gray scored his first top-flight goal, helping Burnley to a 2-0 win over Liverpool at Turf Moor.

Burnley's English manager Sean Dyche arrives ahead of the English Premier League football match between Burnley and Newcastle United at Turf Moor in Burnley, north west England, on December 2, 2014
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