Hull City Hit Back after FA Reject Name Change Request

After the FA Committee rejected the request for Hull City to change their name, the Premier League club have hit back accusing the governing body of prejudice.

Owner Assem Allam wants the team to be known as Hull Tigers from next season, and is balloting season-ticket holders to determine their appetite for change.

A fans-led campaign ‘City Till We Die’ is calling on all supporters to block the proposal and Allam believes the FA took their views on board before coming to their conclusions.

In a statement, Hull City said: “The club is disappointed with the timing of yesterday’s announcement made by The FA. We feel we have been prejudiced right from the outset.

“The FA introduced a new policy to handle our application on the back of consultations with the City Till We Die group, and we therefore feel that our application was already pre-judged.

“This feeling has been reinforced with yesterday’s announcement, as the club feels this will further prejudice the forthcoming ballot of season pass holders.

“However, this is now the time for the silent majority to come forward and support the club’s aspirations. Details of the ballot will be released to season pass holders within the next 48 hours.”

Monday’s setback prompted Allam to repeat his threat to quit the club should he fail in his ultimate goal to force through the name-change.

“If the FA does not allow our plan, we will walk away, put it on the market to sell the club. We would not put it into liquidation; there is a lot of money at stake. I will get my money when I sell,” he said.