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Paddy Power faces Twitter backlash after likening Newcastle United defeats to US cop brutality against unarmed black men

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By John McCarthy, Opinion Editor

April 13, 2015 | 3 min read

Paddy Power has faced substantial social media criticism after comparing Newcastle United’s performance record against Liverpool to police-linked violence against African-Americans.

The controversial tweet, first spotted by Business Insider, discussed the 'KOP beatings' of Newcastle United, making a play on ‘cop’ and the Anfield KOP stand, sparking unease and criticism on Twitter.

The tweet referred readers to a Paddy Power blog giving the lowdown on the last two decades of Liverpool and Newcastle clashes touting reds-forward Daniel Sturridge to score.

The joke was not particularly well received although at the time of publication, it remains active on the site. The intended satirical comment, while receiving 1,377 retweets, was seen as insensitive by many commentators.

As a result, Paddy Power briefly trended in the UK on Monday afternoon on the social media site, as negative comments flowed in.

A Paddy Power spokesperson told Business Insider: “It’s clearly an acerbic reference to recent police activity in the US. And obviously, no offence was meant.”

Paddy Power has over half a million followers on Twitter and is often at the cutting edge of humour on the social media.

Controversy is all part of the firm's social media strategy with global marketing director Christian Woolfenden, in January claiming "we're disappointed if we don't get complaints".

Last year, the bookmaker came under scrutiny from the Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) in the wake of an Oscar Pistorius ad offering 'money off if he walks' free from jail.

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