FA set to reject Allam’s plan to rename Hull

Hull owner Assem Allam’s controversial bid to change the club’s name looks all but over after the FA announced its membership committee had made a “unanimous recommendation” to its council to reject the request.

In a statement, the FA said that, at a meeting last Wednesday, its membership committee made the recommendation to the council after “consultation with stakeholders within and outside of the game”.

The statement added that a full vote would be taken as planned on April 9 and that Hull were able to respond with a new submission, having been sent the written reasons.

There was no immediate response from Allam, but he is unlikely to give up without a fight on a proposal he claims is for commercial reasons. His quest to rebrand the club as Hull Tigers met with a furious response from fans’ groups and led to a war of words with Allam, who vowed to walk away from the club if his move was not approved.