Yossi Benayoun has spoken exclusively to whufc.com to
set the record straight following what he believes to be
fabrications printed in some of the national newspapers this
morning.
The Hammers midfielder gave an interview to the Israeli Newspaper
Maariv following Monday's 6-0 defeat at Reading. Several
English papers have used the interview this morning but Yossi
believes they have made additions and fabrications to the quotes he
originally provided.
"I couldn't believe it when I read the papers this
morning," says Yossi. "I just wanted to say that the
players at West Ham know me well and know I would not say the
things that have been reported, but I want the fans to know this as
well.
"I would never criticise my team mates individually. When you
lose, you lose as a team just the same as when you win, you win as
a team. I have learned a lesson about the press today. They have
taken an innocent interview I did with one Israeli newspaper and
misquoted and mistranslated what I said and I will make sure not to
make that mistake again.
"I am well aware what a bad situation we are in and these
fabrications do not help that. The most important thing for us is
to concentrate on turning things round as quickly as possible but
distractions like these don't help.
"I am an experienced player and those who know me well, and
know my character, know it is not my style to point the finger at
anyone. I just want to make it clear, the players here are not just
my team mates, they are my friends and I would never disrespect
them or the Club in any way.
"The one part of the interview the English papers failed to
pick up was the fact I want to stay at West Ham and help get us out
of the predicament we are in. I am proud to wear the West Ham
shirt. Clubs go through bad patches and we are experiencing that at
the moment but we are determined to climb out of it and we still
have the belief we can stay in this division."
by Miranda Nagalingam