FA ‘changed policy’ after talks with Hull fans

The attempts of chairman Assem Allam to rename the club Hull Tigers suffered a potentially fatal blow on Monday when it was confirmed that next month’s meeting of the FA Council would be recommended to reject the plan.

Allam’s thinking is that a change of name will boost Hull’s commercial appeal to sponsors.

The proposal, though, met with stiff opposition from a section of the KC Stadium faithful who set up the pressure group City Till We Die.

A final decision is not due until the full FA Council meet again on April 9, four days before the East Riding club face Sheffield United in the FA Cup semi-final.

But chairman Allam and son Ehab – who last weekend revealed a plan to ballot season ticket holders at the KC on the proposal – have upped the ante ahead of that meeting by accusing the governing body of being “prejudiced” against the application to rename the club as Hull Tigers.

A statement released by the Tigers said: “The club is disappointed with the timing of the 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 (Monday’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.”

Allam has also reiterated his promise to sell the club if the name change fails to get the green light.

Hull fans have their say over FA recommendation: Page 22.