MANILA, Philippines–Once a standard-bearer of club football in the country, Global FC has turned into a cautionary tale that could end with the club losing its license in the Philippines Football League.
The club was unable to settle its financial obligations to players and staff within the 10-day deadline set by the league that elapsed last Monday.
“We gave them an ultimatum and an opportunity to make good on their promise,” said PFL commissioner Coco Torre. “It’s disappointing. The league has to take appropriate action.”
Philippine Football Federation president Mariano Araneta stressed that the PFF will always protect the rights of players.
“We’re ready to put the sanctions on them and to protect the interest of the players,” said Araneta.
Torre said Global’s case will now be elevated to the Philippine Football Federation’s first instance body that decides the status of clubs in the PFL.
“The league will relay the information to the PFF first instance body that will convene and discuss the status of the club,” said Torre.
Former Global owner Mark Jarvis, who took over the club from Azkals manager Dan Palami in July 2018, said he sold the club to Mazinyi Management Ltd. – a Hong Kong based consortium – early this year.
The PFL could be down to five clubs in the event Global loses its license. But Torre said that a club based in Manila has already applied for a license, which could mean that the PFL keeps a six-team field in the event that the league resumes its season this year.