Hull City have accused the Football Association of prejudice after the governing body's recommendation to reject the club's proposed name change to Hull Tigers.
The FA confirmed on Monday that its Membership Committee had advised against the proposal following a meeting between stakeholders within and outside of the game.
A final decision is due to be made on April 9.
Hull owner Assem Allam has called on season ticket holders to let their opinions be known in an upcoming ballot as he tries to push the change through.
"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," read an official Hull statement.
"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."
Allam has claimed that he will walk out on the club if the proposal does not go through.
Jack Prescott
