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Hull City team bus 'window smashed' by 'stones and bottles' before play-off final

Hull City's team bus was reportedly damaged by 'stones and bottles' ahead of the Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium on Saturday

[The Hull City team bus has been damaged hours before the playoff final against Middlesbrough.]

The Hull City team bus has been damaged just hours before the play-off final(Image: Sky Sports)

The Hull City team bus has suffered damage from 'stones and bottles' prior to the Championship play-off final against Middlesbrough.

It has been reported that a window on the vehicle saw a window shattered by projectiles just hours before the 200million promotion clash, with a place in the Premier League next season hanging in the balance.

The Tigers' squad were residing at the Hilton Hotel a few hundred yards from Wembley Stadium ahead of today's huge game (May 23).

It remains unconfirmed whether the players were aboard the bus during the incident, but indications suggest the damage occurred as the vehicle travelled to the team hotel where Sergej Jakirovic's squad had been stationed.

[EDITORIAL USE ONLY No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos or 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 120 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications. Mandatory Credit: Photo by Graham Hunt/ProSports/Shutterstock (16894459j) Hull City players on the pitch ahead of the EFL Sky Bet Championship match between Hull City and Middlesbrough at Wembley Stadium, London Hull City v Middlesbrough, EFL Sky Bet Championship, Play Off Final - 23 May 2026]

Hull City players have now arrived and the stadium and have been seen on the pitch(Image: Graham Hunt/ProSports/Shutterstock)

Sky Sports reported: "The Hull team bus has had a window smashed this afternoon after objects were thrown at it on the way to the team hotel.

"The Hull players are just arriving out of the team hotel on to the bus, we can show you some damage to the team bus on its way to pick up the players some stones and bottles have been thrown at it so there has been some damage.

"They have had to knock out some of the glass on the exterior of the window, still OK for the players to make the very short journey to Wembley Stadium from here at the team hotel which is a few 100 yards away."

[Middlesbrough fans]

A sea of red at Wembley as Middlesbrough fans gather ahead of the play-off final(Image: James Marsh/Shutterstock)

The preparation for Saturday's encounter has been marred by the Spygate controversy which has sent shockwaves through English football after Southampton, who had defeated Boro in the semi-final, were expelled from the tournament following a guilty verdict for espionage, reports the Mirror.

Meanwhile Hull City captain Lewie Coyle is relishing the chance to lead the team back into the Premier League and do his late father proud.

Chris Coyle was a well-known figure in the city, having run a long-established fruit and veg stall before his sudden death in June 2022.

Lewie, whose brothers Tommy, Joe and Rocco are all professional sportsmen, will be making his first appearance at Wembley, and sees it as the perfect opportunity to show his gratitude to his inspirational dad.

Hed be proud. I want to share this with him, wherever he is, if he is looking down Im sure he is. Thats what I sort of cling onto, he said.

You can probably see how uncomfortable I get thinking about it, but its just my way of honouring him. I have absolutely everything to thank him for, and I owe him absolutely everything. I think this (play-off final) will probably be the closest chance I have to finally be able to say thank you and honour him.

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