Two PFL teams have ceased operation this year. What will it take to sustain professional football in The Philippines?
One thing was clear from the beginning: the format of the PFL would be expensive. But what we didn’t know was that PFL would force Global FC to change ownership and that FC Meralco would close down after the first season.
After a successful PFL 2017 season (finishing third) FC Meralco stunned the Philippines football community by taking to social media and announcing its closure.
The Sparks tried to arrange for new investors to keep the organization running, but those efforts fell short. But that admission raised questions. “If a club as big as Meralco ceases operations because it has difficulty finding new investors, how are others faring?” football commentator, Ryan Fenix, asked.
It didn’t take long to get an answer.
On January 18 Ilocos United announced its withdrawal from the PFL.
With Ilocos United withdrawal, only six clubs will participate in PFL 2018. Do withdrawals mean that Philippines football is in trouble? I say no.
With the number of football academies and youth football programs in the country, football is grounded here. But it does mean that professional football here is crumbling and needs immediate re-modeling to survive. “If the second season is run the same way, it’s almost a guarantee that more clubs will opt out,” Dan Palami wrote.
The Philippines needs PFL, but the PFL must go back to the drawing board and figure out a new plan and strategy. A regional format could be the best way to attract more clubs and reduce costs.
