By Victor Kanayo
There is uncertainty facing football in Ethiopia after the country’s Football Federation (EFF) ordered clubs in the Premier League to change their names.
The federation equally threatened to expel any club that refuses to comply.
The directive was contained in a circular ahead of the new football season in the country.
The circular, which was also issued to all three league divisions, banned clubs from using ethnic-based names and politically affiliated logos.
The Federation further said the regulation was aimed at promoting neutrality and unity in the league.
Reactions
The move, according to fillers, has triggered widespread controversy, as many clubs in Ethiopia are closely tied to specific ethnic groups or are managed by local government administrations.
This directive will compel numerous clubs to rebrand, affecting not only their names but also their crests and historical identities.
While a few clubs have rebranded in the past following promotion, the latest order marks the most sweeping attempt to enforce such changes.
