Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.West Ham have denied producing a new away kit for next season featuring the Barclays Premier League logo after a mock-up picture appeared online and apparently riled play-off opponents Blackpool.
Seasiders defender Ian Evatt branded West Ham "disrespectful" after hearing of the photo, and also accused the east London club of being overconfident going into Saturday's Wembley showdown.
"If you listen to them, they're already up aren't they?" said Evatt.
"If I was them I wouldn't be counting my chickens just yet because what I have learned over the past five or six seasons is these players never give up.
"A guy has just told me that their new kit's come out with Premier League badges on, which I think is jumping the gun a bit and it's disrespectful towards our group of players.
"I'm not going to sit here and say Blackpool are going to win, but we're going to give them a better game than they think we're going to give them."
Yet West Ham's build-up to the final has been deliberately low-key, although the club have now been compelled to respond to Evatt's remarks.
A statement read: "West Ham United can confirm that reports of replica shirts being produced with Premier League badges on ahead of Saturday's play-off final are completely erroneous.
"The photograph of a shirt is a hoax and in no way connected to West Ham United Football Club.
"Comments made as to the conduct of our club in regards to our opponents on Saturday, Blackpool, are also false and have again, nothing to do with the club."
PA
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments