ANDRE Gray’s four-match ban for historical social media posts could have been more severe but for the striker’s apology and willingness to help others learn from his mistakes.

The FA have published the written reasons from the commission which handed down the punishment to the Clarets striker.

Gray was charged over six offensive Twitter posts in 2012 and 2014, while playing for Hinckley United and Brentford.

The posts came to light after the 25-year-old had scored his first Premier League goal in Burnley’s 2-0 win over Liverpool in August.

In the written reasons the commission revealed the punishment could have been more severe but for Gray’s approach since the posts had come to light.

They said: “The commission have taken into account the apology of Andre Gray and the submissions that he is ashamed of the comments and is willing to engage in not only education but also to assist others to learn from his mistakes.

“The sanction imposed includes credit for that constructive approach taken by Andre Gray. Without that constructive approach the sanction would have been more severe.

“Whilst it was submitted on behalf of Andre Gray that the comments are ‘ancient’ in the context of social media the Commission does not find that compelling.

“The mere effluxion of time is not a mitigating factor particularly when the messages remained published on the world wide web during the intervening period.

“The more important point is contrition and, as stated, credit is given for the constructive approach taken by Andre Gray.”

Gray issued a heartfelt apology after the posts, which were made when he was having personal problems in his life, came to light.

At the time of the 2012 posts he had around 50 followers, all of which were friends and family, and Gray had undergone no training and received no advice as to the pitfalls of Twitter.

“The Commission takes into account that this is the first offence committed by Andre Gray,” the panel said.

“The Commission also takes into account the fact that the first set of tweets took place in 2012 and the second set of tweets took place in 2014 and that at the respective times Andre Gray played for Hinkley United Football Club who played in the Conference North and Brentford Football Club who played in the Championship.

“It is certainly true that there was less education and awareness for players regarding social media in 2012 in a lower level club than say in a Premier League club today.”

The panel added: “However for a period of two to four years those comments have been available to be read on the internet by anyone who searched for them.

“That is clearly what happened when a person unearthed those comments and reported them to The FA in 2016.

“The motivation or standing of the person who reported the comments The FA is nothing to the point.”

The commission also said that it was important a message was sent out regarding social media comments of this nature.

“The fact remains that the comments made by Andre Gray were deplorable and must be taken seriously so as to provide adequate protection to vulnerable groups,” they said.

“Irrespective of the level at which players play it is essential that a message is sent out that comments such as these are utterly unacceptable.”