Changes are to be expected once the 2016 United Football League (UFL) season kicks in.
From a circular released by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF), UFL teams must have not more than five foreigners in their lineup. Only players with dual citizenship and a Philippine passport will be considered as homegrown players. PFF Secretary General Atty. Ed Gastanes clarified that only the said institution is the sole body which can identify who are local and foreign players in a UFL team.
The rational of this directive is based on the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) rule which limits the employment of foreign players. Unlike top European leagues, which don’t limit the use of foreign players, leagues under the AFC banner aren’t entitled to labor laws similar to those found in European Union member nations. UFL clubs Ceres-La Salle and Kaya FC are currently in the group stages of the AFC Cup. Ceres-La Salle qualified for the AFC Cup as league champions while Kaya FC did so as UFL Peace Cup winners.
Local players are tipped to benefit from this rule as they will have a higher chance of making it into UFL clubs.
Another important detail from the PFF circular is that foreign players need an International Transfer Certificate (ITC) to participate in the UFL. The ITC is an official FIFA document which states that the player has been released by the football association his or her club was based in to the new corresponding entities where he or she shall play next.
PFF President Nonong Araneta believes this new rule will help local players develop by ensuring only top foreigners will play in the UFL. Araneta is also optimistic that the level of play in the UFL will not drop, and hopes that Filipino players will learn from their high level foreign counterparts.
