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SNUBBED: Howard Gayle became Liverpool's first black player in 1977

THE FIRST black man to play for Liverpool football club has turned down an MBE as it would be "a betrayal" to Africans who suffered as a result of the British Empire.

Howard Gayle, 58, was nominated for his work with the Show Racism the Red Card campaign.

The ex-fottie star, who made his debut for the Reds in 1977, took to Facebook to explain why he had turned down the nomination, adding that his ancestors would be "turning in their graves" should be accept.

He wrote on his Facebook page: "Most of you who are on my FB page are aware of the work that I do tackling racism and the work I do for Show Racism A Red Card. And for that work yesterday I was nominated for a MBE.

"Which unfortunately I had to decline the nomination for the reason that my ancestors would be turning in their graves after how Empire and Colonialism had enslaved them."

He added: "This is a decision that I have had to make and there will be others who may feel different and would enjoy the attraction of being a Member of the British Empire and those 3 letters after their name, but I feel that It would be a betrayal to all of the Africans who have lost their lives, or who have suffered as a result of Empire."