A row between the Hull Daily Mail and Hull City football club appears to be over with the release of a joint statement from the two sides.

The newspaper had been refused access to players and staff at the club after manager Peter Taylor took exception to an analysis article which appeared in the Mail in December.

But a statement from Mail editor John Meehan and Hull City AFC chairman Adam Pearson says that full communication and relations have now been restored, with the reintroduction of full access and availability to the manager and players.

And both sides have resolved to try to avoid any further breakdowns in communications and strengthen their relationship.

The statement reads: “The Mail accepts that criticism aimed at Hull City after the game against Mansfield in December in an Analysis on Monday article was overly harsh and should have been edited.

“The newspaper acknowledges that when performances of the team or individuals are criticised, the criticism should be fair and constructive.

“Hull City acknowledge that criticism is an integral part of any relationship between newspaper and football club and that the Mail has a duty to its readers to report issues and events at the club impartially.

“The football club are committed to establishing an open relationship and look forward to working closely with the Mail’s new sports editor Stuart Rowson and his team.

“It is acknowledged that access to the manager and players is essential if this relationship is to flourish.

“In return, the club expects to receive respect through constructive reporting, even when any criticism is entirely justified.”

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