The Everton defender Mason Holgate is facing the threat of a misconduct charge and a suspension after the FA opened an investigation into allegedly homophobic tweets that emerged in the aftermath of last Friday’s acrimonious FA Cup third-round defeat by Liverpool at Anfield.

The tweets, which contained offensive language such as “fag”, “faggotttttttttt” and “battyboy”, were posted in 2012 and 2013 and have been deleted, but they have been brought to the attention of the FA’s disciplinary department, which has launched an inquiry. The FA is also gathering evidence regarding Holgate’s allegation that he was racially abused by Roberto Firmino during the first half of Liverpool’s 2-1 win.

The Liverpool forward reacted angrily to being shoved into an advertising hoarding by Holgate and the FA