BLACKPOOL starlet Jake Daniels has defended team-mate Marvin Ekpiteta after the defender's homophobic tweets emerged online.
The 17-year-old starlet bravely revealed he was gay earlier in the week – becoming the first English professional footballer to come out since Justin Fashanu in 1990.
Daniels, who has made one senior appearance for the Seasiders this season, has received overwhelming support from the football community.
In the aftermath of Daniels' revelation, centre-back Ekpiteta was forced to delete old homophobic tweets.
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.
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Ekpiteta, who has been interim captain for much of the campaign in the absence of injured club skipper Chris Maxwell, also blasted a gay plot-line in Towie in 2012.
After his posts came to light, the player was quick to issue a statement on social media to apologise for his actions.
And now Daniels has replied to his post where he defended his actions and stated he is proud to call him a team-mate.
He tweeted: "What you said ten years ago at 17 years old doesn’t define the man you are today.
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"I am proud to be your team-mate and to be part of the Blackpool family.
"We are all moving football forwards together."
More to follow…
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