The photographer who claimed to be assaulted by West Ham's Andy Carroll has hit out at the club after they attempted to play down the incident.
Paddy Cummins, who was working whilst West Ham's first team squad were in Dublin for their Christmas party last weekend insisted that his eye had been 'gouged' by Carroll, who is said to have become annoyed at the photographer's continued presence.Cummins' version of events - in which he claimed to have been attacked by Carroll - have been disputed by West Ham. "Andy agreed to have a number of pictures taken at the request of a photographer who was waiting on the street," said the club in a statement.
"The photographer then carried on taking photos in the close proximity of Andy and was politely asked to stop by the private security team. When he then continued taking more photos, he was restrained by the security team for Andy's safety.
"Eyewitnesses state at no point was there any physical contact between Andy and the photographer."
However Cummins, who insists that he was treated at Dublin's Eye & Ear hospital after the alleged incident maintains that he was the victim of assault - whilst accusing West Ham of jumping the gun.
"They made a statement that witnesses said there was no contact but that was less than 24 hours after the event," he told the Herald. "And they're claiming they talked to all the witnesses. They're claiming witnesses have come forward to them and not the Gardai."
Cummins has since handed over all of the photographs he took during the evening to Irish police, who are yet to act.
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