ANDRE GRAY has rushed to make a lengthy apology after outrage over his call for homosexuals to ‘burn and die’.
The Burnley striker was caught in a twitter storm straight after his match-clinching goal in a 2-0 win over Liverpool.
The England hopeful sparked a frenzy after it emerged he sent a tweet in 2012 asking:”Is it me or are there gays everywhere?”
Any doubts over the 25-year-old’s meaning were surely ended when he added: “#Burn #Die #MakesMeSick.”
Openly-gay rugby referee Nigel Owens hit back: “It’s your comments that makes decent human beings sick@AndreGray7. No wonder no one can be themselves in soccer.”
And fellow tweeter @fishoutdolanout said: “What a vile and disgusting tweet.”
But Gray responded with what he called a “sincere and unreserved apology to anybody I have offended” and insisted he is now a “completely different person”.
The former Luton and Brentford star was a semi-professional with Hinckley four years ago when he wrote a string of controversial tweets, including his homophobic jibe.
And his apologetic tweet tonight said: “A lot has changed in my life since then.
“I have experienced a lot.. and have had to take responsibility for a number of things in my life which has enabled me to mature.
“I’ve worked incredibly hard to transform my life. I do not hold the beliefs written in those tweets whatsoever.”
He insisted he was “absolutely not homophobic” and asked for “forgiveness”.
Gray added: "Thankfully I am not the guy I was back then and will continue to work hard on and off the pitch to become a better person.
Twitter's response was a mixture of praise and scepticism.
Some fans congratulated Gray for the progress and changes he has made - but others suggested he had been forced into a grovelling statement.
Burnley issued a statement late on Saturday night appearing to back Gray - by condemning homophobia but agreeing that he has since "completely transformed" his life.
The Clarets said: "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."
Britain's controversial world heavyweight boxing champion Tyson Fury had earlier tweeted his support for Gray.
He told Gray: Fury said: "Seems the media only want to f*** up your career when u make it... don't let these b*****ds mess with ya head."
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