Hull City council leaders to meet FA over Airco Arena row
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FOOTBALL Association executives are to meet with senior council leaders before a final decision is made on
Hull City's controversial academy status application.
The application hinges on the use of the council-owned Airco Arena by the club's academy set-up.
Although the club announced last week that independent auditors had recommended approval for Category Two status in their draft report, the council maintains the installation of a 3G pitch at the Walton Street venue by Hull City is in breach of the operating lease covering the building.
Having exclusive use of an indoor 3G pitch is a requirement for Category Two status.
Before the artificial pitch was laid, a number of amateur sports clubs previously based at the arena were forced to leave after being given one month's notice to quit by the Stadium Management Company, which, like Hull City, is owned by Assem Allam and his son Ehab.
City council chief executive Darryl Stephenson said the authority was expecting to hold a meeting with senior Football Association officials before a final decision on the club's application.
While declining to comment on the auditors' recommendation, he said the council's view on the issue remained unchanged.
"Until we have the meeting with the FA and their final decision, we are not in a position to say anything else," said Mr Stephenson.
"The matter of the academy licence application is for the FA to decide on, not us,"
The council has previously said it will consider legal action to reinstate the arena for community use.
It also offered to pay for and submit a planning application for a standalone so-called "bubble pitch" next to the KC for use by the club as an alternative 3G facility.
However, that offer was rejected by City vice-chairman Ehab Allam, who claimed it would take too long to develop.
In a statement released after the auditors' draft findings were received recommending approval, Mr Allam said: "This is brilliant news for the club and everyone within the academy deserves a lot of credit for this achievement.
"We know how much it means to our supporters to see a player come through the youth system and play for the first team. We share that passion.
"I would like to congratulate academy manager Tony Pennock, along with all of the coaches and staff at the academy.
"They have all played a crucial role in what is a major step forward for us."
After carrying out a four-day visit to the academy last month, the auditors will return to the club on Wednesday, May 27, to produce a final report.
That report will then go to the FA's Professional Game Board (PGB) for a final decision before the 2015-16 season.
The ten-strong PGB is a committee of the main FA Board with direct responsibility for all administrative and operational issues relating to the FA Cup as well as the senior, under-21 and under-19 men's teams.
The 3G pitch was temporarily covered last week for the Allam British Open Squash Championships.
A temporary cover will also be in place when the Airco Arena hosts a two-day business convention next month.
'We've backed club'
City council leader Steve Brady has said the authority had "bent over backwards" to help Hull City secure an upgraded status for its academy set-up.
This included securing agreement on an extended deadline to allow planning approval to be secured for a new facility next to the KC Stadium.
He said this was an "acceptable" alternative that did not impact on community sports clubs using the Airco Arena.
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