West Ham Not Allowed To Wear Special FA Cup Kit After Administrative Error

EPL side West Ham United was "forced to bin plans to wear a specially-designed kit in the FA Cup after an embarrassing administrative mix-up," according to Oliver Todd of the London DAILY MAIL. The club unveiled a commemorative "Thames Ironworks" navy-blue outfit in August and told fans it would be "worn during our FA Cup campaign." But there was "no sign of it" as the club "crashed out in the third round" against Man City. Club chiefs "believed they had the sign-off from the FA to wear the special shirts at the start of the season -- only to later be told it contravened the governing body's regulations." A source close to the FA said that the problem "stemmed from a commercial issue with the shirt." The "foul-up has caused frustration among supporters," who paid up to £55 ($67) for the shirt alone (DAILY MAIL, 1/9).