English football club Sunderland AFC have apologised for a controversial tweet that linked Kyle Lafferty with loyalist flute bands.
The club say the tweet, which was swiftly deleted, was a 'genuine mistake', ChronicleLive reports .
The Northern Ireland striker signed for the Wearsiders on a free transfer last week and was officially presented yesterday.
But Sunderland's social media team announced Lafferty's arrival by posting a tweet which referenced a terrace chant sung by Rangers fans about the Enniskillen native.
The now deleted tweet said: "He's seven foot and plays the flute."
The flute line is a reference to Loyalist marching bands in Northern Ireland.
A Sunderland AFC spokesperson said: "It was written in all innocence by someone unaware of how it could be interpreted.
"As soon as it was pointed out, the tweet was deleted."
Speaking after his signing Lafferty, 32, said: "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.
For more of today's top stories in Belfast and beyond, click here.
Keep up-to-date with all the very latest news, what's on, sport and everything else in Belfast and beyond with the Belfast Live app.
Only select news that interests you by picking the topics you want to display on the app's homepage. Plus, our enhanced user experience includes live blogs, video, interactive maps and slick picture galleries. Download it now and get involved.
Click here to get it from the App Store or here for Google Play .
