Burnley striker Andre Gray apologises for homophobic tweets

Andre Gray has issued a statement on social media asking for forgiveness after homophobic tweets he sent four years ago.

The Burnley striker, who scored in his side's 2-0 win over Liverpool on Saturday, insisted he is not the same person as he was in 2012, when a number of offensive tweets were sent from his account - one appearing to condone the deaths of gay people. 

Gray, who has previously called Jamie Vardy his 'inspiration', was at non-league side Hinckley United when the tweets were sent, and says he has matured a great deal since then. 

The 25-year-old Premier League striker issued a full statement after the game against Liverpool in a bid to clarify his position and apologise to those offended.

Gray said in a statement on Twitter: "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 last 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 I will continue to work hard both on and off the pitch to become a better person."