Jake Daniels has given the perfect reply to Marvin Ekpiteta's apology, after Daniels' Blackpool teammate became subject of an FA investigation over homophobic tweets.
Daniels hit the headlines earlier this week when he became the first active gay footballer in England to come out publicly since Justin Fashanu over 30 years ago.
The Blackpool player has been praised across the sport for his bravery, especially coming from such a young player, at the age of just 17-years-old.
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Daniels has shown his maturity again with his response to Ekpiteta, after scrutiny over his old posts on Twitter caused the FA to look into them.
The 26-year-old deleted tweets, that included him sharing support for Nigeria's ban on gay marriage by using clapping emojis, and the defender soon issued an apology statement.
"Today, social media posts I made in 2012 and 2013 have been highlighted," the former Leyton Orient player tweeted.
"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 | previously made suggest otherwise. I take full responsibility for these posts, and I am sorry."
An FA spokesperson confirmed that the old tweets would be looked into, saying, "We are aware of the comments made on social media and will be investigating the matter."
However, Ekpiteta's own teammate, Daniels isn't going to be holding his colleague to account over what he said 10 years ago, taking to social media to reply to the apology statement.
"What you said ten years ago at 17 years old doesn’t define the man you are today," Daniels posted.
"I am proud to be your teammate and to be part of the Blackpool family - we are all moving football forwards together."
Whilst the football community at large has been supportive of Daniels, there has been anger from fans at the support some players have given to Idrissa Gueye.
It's claimed the PSG midfielder refused to play in a recent game due to the presence of a rainbow flag on the shirt, and he has now been backed by Crystal Palace midfielder Cheikhou Kouyate and Watford forward Ismaila Sarr.
Topics: Football, EFL Championship
Ryan Sidle