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'we are deeply sorry'

Everton sponsor SportPesa apologises for a tweet that celebrated their 5-2 defeat to Arsenal

The Toffees fell into the relegation zone and manager Ronald Koeman was axed following the dismal display at Goodison Park

EVERTON'S main shirt sponsor SportPesa has apologised for a tweet which celebrated the Toffees' 5-2 loss to Arsenal on Sunday.

Victory for the Gunners left the Merseyside club in the Premier League relegation zone and proved to be the final straw for manager Ronald Koeman, who was sacked on Monday afternoon.

 The Toffees are now in the relegation zone of the Premier League
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The Toffees are now in the relegation zone of the Premier LeagueCredit: Getty - Contributor

African-based betting company SportPesa, who agreed a "multi-year agreement" to be Everton's "main partner" in May, appeared to revel in Arsenal's victory with a tweet sent from its account which in part said: "Well in #Gunners! A superb gift by the players for the birthday gaffer! #MadeOfWinners."

The post has since been removed from the SportPesa account and it has apologised in a statement it addressed to Everton fans on Monday.

"We have to be honest in admitting that the tweet you saw yesterday should never have gone out and we are deeply sorry for any offence this has caused," it wrote.

"We have reviewed and will revise our internal policies and processes, especially in relation to our other partner clubs, to ensure that this never happens again. We will up our game."

 Ronald Koeman was sacked as the manager of Everton following the drab display
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Ronald Koeman was sacked as the manager of Everton following the drab displayCredit: Getty Images - Getty
 Gylfi Sigurdsson in action against Arsenal
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Gylfi Sigurdsson in action against ArsenalCredit: Getty - Contributor

It is not the first time this season a betting company that has a sponsorship arrangement with a Premier League club has apologised for posts made on social media.

In September, Burnley's official UK betting partner Ladbrokes said sorry to the Clarets for "very poorly conceived tweets" made during their Carabao Cup contest with Leeds.

One was addressed to ex-Whites players Chris Wood and Charlie Taylor and featured a middle finger emoji.

Following the axing of the Toffess boss, Under-23 coach David Unsworth will take the reigns until a new permanent manager is allocated.

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Wayne Rooney gave the Blues the lead after 12 minutesCredit: Rex Features
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