Holgate could face FA rap over homophobic tweets

PREMIER LEAGUE: Mason Holgate could face a Football Association charge for alleged homophobic tweets sent from a now deleted Twitter account more than five years ago.

The FA are already investigating Holgate’s claim that he was racially abused by Liverpool forward Roberto Firmino after the pair clashed in last week’s FA Cup third-round game at Anfield, which the home side won 2-1.

But it is now understood they are also aware of three tweets he apparently sent in 2012 and 2013 that contain pejorative terms for gay men and may launch a formal investigation.

Holgate, now 21, was a mem- ber of Barnsley’s youth set-up at the time and did not join Everton until 2015.

The @MasonHolgateee account has been deactivated but screengrabs of the tweets have been circulated in the aftermath of Holgate’s allegation about Firmino.

Holgate reported the allegation to referee Bobby Madley and he included it in his match report, but the official did not hear any racial comment.

The incident occurred after Holgate appeared to shove Firmino into the crowd.

Watford striker Andre Gray was hit with a four-game ban in 2016 for homophobic tweets he sent in 2012.