Haicof, a club funded by the Hailu Coffee company, are protesting at unfair treatment having been relegated from the national 2nd Division to the localised Addis Ababa League. Coach Sissay Kebede, who has spent 9 years with the club, said that they initially complained to the Federation at the end of last season because they were having to play 4 games a week and were unable to train. "The Federation assured us that they just wanted to complete the season and that there would be no relegation."

Haifcof have spent 3 months in training, paying their first-team squad of 27 players and 2 coaches and the owners spent around $2000 on playing gear and boots for the coming season. They were then shocked to be told that, along with fellow 2nd Division side Medhane Alem, they would be relegated to local football after finishing as the bottom two. This despite two other clubs disbanding during the close season.

"We asked if we could replace the dissolved clubs but were refused" said Kebede. "We and Medhane Alem are small clubs and feel victimised because we are not powerful. We also suspect a bias against two of the few privately-owned clubs in the league." He added that the club's owners, who sponsor them to tune of about $40,000 per year, do not wish to compete in the local league and the club may be forced to disband: "As well as the first teamers, we have 50 B and C team players, all of whom have come up through the ranks and it will be a tragedy if we have to close."