West Ham's David Gold regrets Fulham team complaint
Gold owns West Ham along with David Sullivan
West Ham co-owner David Gold says the club were wrong to complain about Fulham's line-up in the Premier League loss to Hull in March.
"We were upset and we probably reacted in haste and passion," admitted Gold.
"Of course, if you put out the ladies team then what's going to happen," he said of Fulham's 2-0 defeat that day.
Hammers boss Gianfranco Zola has said the issue may add extra spice to Sunday's London derby between the sides at Craven Cottage.
Zola disagreed with the club's original complaint to the Premier League, after Fulham boss Roy Hodgson decided to rest five key players against Hull with an eye on a midweek Europa League quarter-final tie with Wolfsburg.
Zola has 'no complaints' over Fulham selection
Bobby Zamora, Danny Murphy, Damien Duff, Aaron Hughes and Dickson Etuhu all missed the defeat, which allowed the Tigers to pull level with West Ham at the time, but the likes of Chris Smalling and Clint Dempsey did play.
With Premier League survival now all-but certain, Gold admits the club regret their actions.
"We were very disappointed about the decision to put that team out at the time," admitted Gold.
"Let me tell you though, I would have done the same thing. I would have put out the ladies team if I had been Fulham.
"They were beaten 2-0 by Hull and you're thinking 'come on, how can that be?' but of course if you put out the ladies team then that's what's going to happen."
The Hammers hierarchy lodged an official complaint on 2 April but nothing has been made of the matter since.
Gold's fellow co-owner David Sullivan admitted this week he had attempted to withdraw the complaint and the Premier League confirm that they are still to receive Fulham's response to the allegations.
The two clubs are already at loggerheads after Fulham claimed they were owed £450,000 compensation because West Ham finished one position above them in the 2006-07 season when they included the illegitimately-registered Carlos Tevez among their ranks.
Sullivan is reportedly ready to donate £100,000 to charity if Fulham scrap their bid for compensation and Gold now hopes the two clubs can move on from the latest episode in their feud.
"We're big boys and we'll move on now," he added.
Gold and Sullivan took over debt-ridden West Ham in January. They were previously in charge of Birmingham City for 16 years until selling to Hong Kong billCarson Yeung in October 2009.
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