Hull City owner Acun Ilicali has publicly criticised pundits Joe Cole and Carlton Cole after they mocked the club's chances of surviving in the Premier League this season. Ilicali branded the pair's comments "laughable", saying it was disappointing to see former players mock a club that had earned its promotion, and insisted Hull thrives on being underestimated. The row matters because it sets the tone ahead of Hull's top-flight return, with the club keen to prove doubters wrong after a difficult recent history.

Joe Cole made the remarks on The Dressing Room podcast, saying he turned down a chance to be a pundit for Hull's opening match and would be "stunned if they stayed up", joking the club had "slipped in through the back door". Hull won promotion via a last-minute play-off final victory over Middlesbrough at Wembley in May, only two years after nearly dropping into League One on goal difference, and this will be their first Premier League season since 2017. Manager Sergej Jakirovic said the criticism offered extra motivation, while Carlton Cole later defended the comments as "banter". Hull, who have spent £70m on new signings, begin their campaign against Manchester United on Saturday.