Tigray region clubs will not take part in the Ethiopian Premier League for second season in a row after they failed to register for the upcoming 2021/2022 football season.
Mekele City, Suhul Shire, and Adigrat University had until Friday to meet the requirements and they had already been served a notice by the Ethiopia Football Federation over the same.
However, the trio failed to beat the deadline due to the ongoing war between the Ethiopian government and the Tigray’s separatist fighters.
Reports indicated that the three clubs wanted to take part in 2021/2021 Ethiopian Premier League season but financial constraints and insecurity forced them to withdraw.
The Tigray clubs’ pull-out means that Adama City, Jimma Aba Jifar and Wolkite City, who were previously relegated at the end of last season, will make a return to the Betking-sponsored league.
As precaution, Ethiopian football authorities had held a devised a playoff format in Hawassa, hence failure for the three to register has now forced the reinstatement of the relegated teams.
The playoff matches, between six-teams, were played from June 24 to July 11, 2021.
Other teams that participated in the tournament include Ethio Electric, Hambaricho, and Kolfe Keranio Sub City, who have now been promoted to the 16-team’s league.
Adama City finished top of the playoff matches with 13points followed by Wolkite City on 11 points, Jimma Aba Jifar 3rd on 7points followed in 4th place.
Ethio Electric, Kolfe Keranio Sub City finished in 5th with 6 points while Hambericho finished the tourney with no point.
