Report: Hull back up for sale as takeover falls through

The future of Hull City is shrouded in doubt once again, after the proposed takeover of a consortium hailing from China and Hong Kong has collapsed, according to BBC Radio Humberside.

When the Football Association rejected incumbent owner Assem Allam's controversial request to change the club's name to Hull Tigers, he promptly put the club up for sale in 2014. Ehab Allam, son of the Egypt-born businessman and vice-chairman, confirmed a takeover agreement was finally in place last month, but now it appears to have fallen though.

Related: Hull vice-chairman confirms sale imminent

Despite Allam Sr.'s lack of popularity among the KCOM Stadium faithful, it's believed the issue is not with him, but with the legitimacy of those looking to broker a deal for the Humberside club.

"As I understand it, the problem is not Hull City on the takeover being off," said BBC Radio Humberside's David Burns.

"It's nothing Allam has done so I assume it's the fit and proper person tests. The Premier League have told me they can't comment on the situation."

The tests are overseen before every attempted takeover of a Premier League or Football League outfit. They serve to analyse the business and humanity backgrounds of potential owners before any deal is ratified.

Although some players were brought in before the close of the transfer window - including a club-record signing of Ryan Mason from Tottenham Hotspur - Hull is still among the favourites to finish in the bottom three this term. It takes on fellow relegation candidate Burnley on Saturday.