Hull City Owner Puts Team Up for Sale after FA Name Change Rejection

Hull City owner Assem Allam has revealed he has put the Premier League team up for sale as a result of the Football Association’s refusal to allow him to change the club’s name.

Allam suggested the club was put on the market five months ago, after his attempt to re-name the team Hull Tigers was blocked by the FA Council.

Allam brought Hull in 2010 when the club was in a perilous financial position and his funding has since helped to build a squad which reached the Premier League last year and the FA Cup final in the spring.

However, he was also behind the controversial renaming plan, which was thrown out by the Football Association Council in April.

Allam says the club was put up for sale 22 hours after that decision was reached, although the FA verdict may yet be reversed by the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

Speaking to the media at the KC Stadium on Thursday, Allam said: “Lately there have been a lot of rumours and that is not a good thing, so I decided it was better to have a face-to-face conference and clear the air.

“We stated earlier this year that the club would be for sale should our attempt to globally promote Hull Tigers as a brand name and as a playing name be blocked.

“As a consequence of the FA decision on 9 April, I announced on 10 April, within 22 hours, that Hull City is for sale.

“We have begun the appeal against the FA’s decision via the Court of Arbitration for Sport.

“Until conclusion of either sale or appeal, we will remain committed to the club.

“If it comes to selling, I will sell with tears in my eyes, because I haven’t finished.”