At least four local professional football clubs competing in the Philippines Football League received clearance to compete in club tournaments sanctioned by Asian Football Confederation in 2022.
The Philippine Football Federation, the country’s football governing body, has announced that Kaya-Iloilo, Mendiola 1991, Stallion Laguna, and United City have the consent needed to join the 2022 AFC Cup and 2022 AFC Champions League.
“The PFF First Instance Body (FIB), which convened last 20 October 2021, deliberated on the club licensing applications of the four clubs. The FIB, led by its chairperson, Atty. Roland Tulay, issued the AFC Club License to Kaya FC-Iloilo and Stallion Laguna FC, and denied the applications of both United City FC and Mendiola FC 1991,” read the federation’s statement.
“As part of the PFF Club Licensing core process, both United City and Mendiola lodged an appeal before the Appeals Body (AB), led by its chairperson, Atty. Rene Pilapil. The Appeals Body convened last 30 October 2021 and granted the appeals of the appellant clubs, subject to fines and submission of documents.”
Except for United City, which is currently facing some legal issues, the other three aforementioned clubs are currently competing in the 2021 Copa Paulino Alcantara. This is the only domestic football competition for the country this year after the league did not push through due to the ongoing difficulties brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.
There is still no word, however, if this year’s Copa Paulino Alcantara shall serve as a qualifier for AFC’s club tournaments.
Filipino clubs finally made it into the 2021 AFC Champions League earlier this year thanks to United City and Kaya’s forays in the competition’s group stages. There, they faced some of the continent’s heavyweights from China, Japan and South Korea.
