Sunderland have been forced to delete their controversial tweet which saw them welcoming the signing of Kyle Lafferty.
The 32 year old Northern Ireland forward joined on a deal until the end of the season with the League One promotion hopefuls last week, but the Black Cats made gaffe that could be deemed offensive to some.
He was officially unveiled on Monday, and he gave his first club interview on the website.
Sunderland initially tweeted: “He’s seven foot and he plays the flute.”
Sunderland were quick to delete their welcome to Kyle Lafferty….. pic.twitter.com/7YSr4fr7CH
— Faceless ? (@FacelessRanger) January 13, 2020
The words are mentioned in a song that was chanted towards Lafferty whilst at Rangers and it also references loyalist flute bands in his home country of Northern Ireland.
Sunderland quickly deleted the post, and a club spokesman insisted no offence was intended.
They said: “It was written in all innocence by someone unaware of how it could be interpreted.”
Lafferty told Sunderland’s official club website: “I am excited to sign for Sunderland because it is probably the biggest club I have played for in England.
“I know what it takes to play for a team like this. I said when Sunderland approached me that I would’ve come here at 21.
“I feel blessed and excited to get the opportunity to come here at the age of 32. It doesn’t come down to a manager’s words because it’s Sunderland.
“It is a massive club. I know I keep repeating it but it is a massive club.”
TWITTER REACTION:
Sunderland were quick to delete their welcome to Kyle Lafferty….. pic.twitter.com/7YSr4fr7CH
— Faceless ? (@FacelessRanger) January 13, 2020
See this whole Sunderland/Kyle Lafferty flute thing… does anyone actually give a shit? When did the whole world lose all sense of perspective and become so offended at the slightest shit? I’m more offended that they didn’t make it neatly rhyme tbqfhwy.
— Paul (@Migano2000) January 14, 2020
Love to see a bit of sectarianism in a signing announcement.
— __girvan (@__girvan) January 13, 2020
Reaffirms my continued hatred for @SunderlandAFC .
Absolutely despise that club
— Davy Fitz (@Rocketballs7) January 13, 2020
100,000 Celtic fans moaning that they got there feelings hurt was probs the reason
— TheBrownShoesOfIbrox (@TheBrownShoes72) January 13, 2020
@Brian_Alcorn: ffs, a bit of fun, anyone who takes offence , I pity them, they must lead a sad life.
@UlsterBaz72: Beep beep, all aboard the offended bus! ?
@Cxllum72: disappointed Sunderland deleted their original tweet about Kyle Lafferty being 7 foot and being able to play the flute ??
@AlanGannon3: Why did they post it if they didn’t understand it?
@garyhenderson0: “Sunderland AFC regrets the oversight and blames it on our busy schedule and under-resourced staff. We were up to our knees in…”
@peterg98: Hes 6 foot 4 and a complete wanker…. I know it doesn’t rhyme but its quite accurate.
@Sus_L_: No idea what Sunderland were trying to achieve with that Lafferty tweet, I didn’t find it offensive, just funny to see them make an arse of it ?
@Boyle_67: Sunderland can tweet all they like about lafferty being 7 foot an playing the flute won’t change the fact we fucking battered them 5 nil in there own stadium with our B team. ?
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