The Hull City forward Chuba Akpom has apologised on Twitter, after reacting with anger to being substituted during Hull City’s 2-1 win over Reading on Wednesday night.
Akpom, who is spending the season on loan from Arsenal at the KC Stadium, was hauled off the pitch following a confrontation with Reading’s Danny Williams. After a heavy challenge from Akpom, the two players put their heads together, with Williams appearing to plant a kiss on Akpom’s nose.
Akpom was then replaced by Robert Snodgrass with the score at 1-1 and reacted angrily, throwing his gloves in the direction of the Hull dugout, ranting and repeatedly shaking his head. Jake Livermore scored a last-minute winner to keep the hosts firmly in the promotion race, just two points behind the Championship leaders Middlesbrough.
After the game, Akpom tweeted: “Hard fought win tonight. Let a lot of people down with my reaction, sorry to the fans, staff and club. Emotions got the better of me.”
Steve Bruce, the Hull manager, was critical of Akpom’s behaviour after the game. “I’ve been in the game long enough to understand emotions run high and sometimes you make a complete fool of yourself,” Bruce said. “He’s got that little edge which all good players have got, but you have to control that.
“I’ve had World Cup winners throw their gloves at me. Then I take a bit of notice. I’m not going to take notice of a 20-year-old who, unfortunately, when things don’t go his way spits his dummy out and throws his toys out of the pram.”
The England Under-21 international Akpom has made 25 appearances in all competitions for Hull this season, scoring four goals. It remains to be seen whether he will feature for the club over the Christmas period, starting with Saturday’s visit to Rotherham.
