Mariano confident PPL will start this month

Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta expressed confidence that the Philippine Premier League will finally push through late this month after the opening was moved due to several clubs’ inability to comply with the PFF’s club licensing regulations.

Speaking to reporters prior to a thanksgiving dinner celebrating his reelection to the powerful Fifa council, Araneta said Mendiola FC and Philippine Air Force have already appealed their case to be granted a license in time for the league’s opening on April 27.

The PPL, formerly known as the Philippines Football League, was slated to kick off March 31, but organizers were compelled to move the opening to give Mendiola FC and Air Force more time to submit the necessary documents to gain a club license.

Araneta said that the league has already made adjustments to its operations to save on costs, unlike the PFL which adopted a costly home-and-away format.