Diego Poyet apologises for branding West Ham 'scum' in 2012 tweet

Diego Poyet was today forced to issue an apology to West Ham fans after it emerged he criticised the club in a tweet during his time at Charlton.

Poyet tweeted “we hate West Ham #scum” before a game between West Ham and Brighton, then managed by his father Gus, at Upton Park in 2012.

The 19-year-old, who joined West Ham earlier this month, said today: “I was 16 at the time and very naive, I will learn from my mistakes. Obviously I regret it looking at it now but there is nothing I can do about it. I apologise. I am very happy to be at the club and have loved my time here so far.

“For all you getting on to me about that tweet two years ago it was banter between some of my friends and me when I went to watch a game and I was supporting my dad’s team (Brighton).”