Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has responded to unfavourable remarks about the club and city, labelling them as absurd.
Ilicali has taken to social media to address the critical online comments directed at Hull City.
The Tigers’ owner has called out Carlton Cole and Joe Cole over their controversial remarks about the club, with the latter having stated that they entered through unconventional means. The former England international also claimed that his employers, TNT Sports, had attempted to schedule a match against Hull for the first game of the season, adding that he had set his phone to avoid interruptions.
It has subsequently emerged that the broadcaster neither scheduled Cole for nor intended to book him for Saturday’s fixture against Manchester United. Ilicali has now issued a rebuttal to their online remarks.
In a post on X, the club’s owner addressed their observations, saying it is disappointing to see his beautiful city criticised by people who should know better. He noted that as a club, they are used to being underestimated, and they enjoy it, and they enjoyed it more when they were promoted last season. He added that the true beauty of a place is in its people, and that is why, for him, Hull is one of the most beautiful places in the world. He concluded by saying that seeing two ex-players making fun of a deservedly promoted club is more laughable than the things they were laughing at.
Cole launched his tirade on the Dressing Room podcast by declaring that Hull are finished and that he would be stunned if they stayed up.
The podcast’s official X account has since responded with a post stating that Hull City fans, if they stay up this season, Joe Cole, Wayne Bridge and Carlton will do a forfeit of their choosing.
Cole has also filmed a video addressing the criticism, saying that they have come under a bit of fire at the Dressing Room and that the Hull City fans are not happy with them. He explained that it was simply back-and-forth banter and that it is alright, it is not the end of the world. He noted that one man’s opinion does not make it right or real, and that people might be disappointed with that opinion, but that is alright and that is the whole point of football. He admitted that he did find it amusing when his colleague said that they sneaked in at the back door, explaining that he was laughing at his mate’s joke and he can do that. He stated that Joe thinks they will not stay up, and that if they do not stay up, it is okay because they have done well to get to this point. He expressed his love for Hull City and said he has admiration for the club, noting that his son was there and is now at Middlesbrough. He acknowledged that looking back, the fans were amazing and that fans stick by their team, which is what they are doing. He recognised that they might be upset about the comments, but that it is just a bit of banter and they are in the big leagues now, which is what they are supposed to do.