Blackpool captain deleted homophobic tweets on the day teammate Jake Daniels revealed he was gay

BLACKPOOL captain Marvin Ekpiteta deleted homophobic tweets on the day teammate Jake Daniels revealed he was gay.

Ekpiteta, 26, wiped the messages just as teenage striker Jake came out.

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They included three clapping emojis in response to the news in 2013 that Nigeria had outlawed gay marriage.

In the same year, he said it was “disgusting” and “ridiculous” that TV soap Hollyoaks had five gay characters.

Ekpiteta, who has been interim captain for much of the season in the absence of injured club skipper Chris Maxwell, also blasted a gay plot-line in Towie in 2012.

A fan of Championship side Blackpool said: “It’s a major embarrassment for the club after they lauded Jake for coming out.

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“Deleting tweets and hoping no one noticed is unacceptable. He must apologise and understand the hurt he has caused.”

Jake, 17, publicly revealed on Monday he was gay — the first current male professional player to be out — saying it was “the right time”.

It brought praise from across the football community, with FA president Prince William saying his “courage will hopefully break down barriers”.

Tonight, defender Ekpiteta issued an apology for the homophobic tweets.

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He said: "Today, social media posts I made in 2012 and 2013 have been highlighted.

"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 teammate.

"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.

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"I take full responsibility for these posts, and I am sorry."

Blackpool was asked to comment.