text: Controversial bookmakers Paddy Power have provoked outrage with a 'joke' about the African-American police beatings. In a tweet published ahead of Liverpool's clash against Newcastle tonight, the bookmakers appeared to make light of the issue in the wake of a succession of stories in the US regarding police shootings on African-Americans. On the Paddy Power Offers page, a tweet was published that read: 'Newcastle have suffered more Kop beatings over the last 20 years than an unarmed African-American male'. It was accompanied by a smirking picture of Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers and has resulted in a furious backlash on social media. Controversy: Paddy Power appeared to make a joke about the recent police shootings on African-Americans . One said: 'This is the most disgusting tweet I've read in probably my entire time on Twitter.' She added: 'How dare you make the execution of Black men in America the butt of your jokes'. Another quipped: 'What's funny? Black people being killed? Explain yourself.' Others lined up to condemn the bookmakers describing the tweet as 'deplorable', 'unbelievable', 'horrible' and 'disgusting'. Last week, white South Carolina police officer Michael Slager was charged with the murder of Walter Scott, a black man, who was filmed running away from the officer. Mourners at Mr Scott's funeral service were told by the pastor that his death was the result of 'overt 'racism'. This is not the first time Paddy Power - who employs Harriet Harman's son, Harry Dromey as its 'Mischief Champion' - has courted controversy. Paddy Power's controversial advert about the outcome of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial was the most complained about advertisement in Britain last year. It offered 'money back if he walks' for punters betting on the outcome of the trial. After receiving 5,525 complaints, the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) pulled the advert on the grounds it trivialised 'the issues surrounding a murder trial, the death of a woman and disability.' Pistorius was last year jailed for five years for killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, although he could be released this year. Criticism: Paddy Power's controversial advert about the outcome of the Oscar Pistorius murder trial was the most complained about advertisement in Britain last year . Earlier this year, the bookmakers attracted criticism for an advertising campaign poking fun at foreign owners of British football clubs by featuring a team of players wearing Middle Eastern robes. In the past, it has been derided for an advert showing a cat being kicked into a tree by a blind footballer. It was the most complained about advert of 2010, but was cleared by the ASA and did not face a ban. Paddy Power also created 2002's most complained-about advert, with a campaign that placed odds on two elderly women making it across the road safely. On that occasion, it was banned by the ASA. Last year, the bookmakers sponsored US basketball star Dennis Rodman to make a controversial trip to North Korea to hand over gifts to Kim Jong-un. This included an Irish Whiskey set - reportedly worth thousands of pounds - which was given as a birthday present for the North Korea dictator, . In response to the latest furore, a spokesman for Paddy Power said: 'It's clearly an acerbic reference to recent police activity in the US. And obviously, no offence was meant.'
target: Paddy Power said on its Twitter page: 'Newcastle have suffered more Kop beatings over the last 20 years than an unarmed African-American male'
  It has resulted in a furious backlash, with people calling it 'deplorable'
  Bookmakers have attracted criticism in the past for controversial adverts .