Everton defender Mason Holgate has been given a formal warning by the Football Association after an investigation into alleged homophobic tweets.

The governing body opened an investigation in January after being made aware of three tweets the defender apparently sent from a now-deleted Twitter account in 2012 and 2013, when he was a member of Barnsley’s youth set-up, that contained pejorative terms for gay men. Holgate joined Everton in 2015.

Two posts on the @FAspokesperson Twitter account read: “The FA has concluded its investigation into historic tweets posted by Everton’s Mason Holgate.

“Having carefully considered all of the available evidence, including his response, the tweets themselves and a response from the club, the player has been given a formal warning and directed to undertake a mandatory FA inclusion programme.”

In February, Liverpool’s Roberto Firmino was told he would not face any disciplinary action after the FA announced it had not found sufficient evidence that he racially abused Holgate during an FA Cup third-round tie.

The pair were involved in a flash point on the touchline during the clash at Anfield, with Firmino reacting angrily after Holgate pushed him over the advertising hoardings.

The pair had to be separated and the Everton man was then incensed at something said to him by Firmino.