Philippines Football League
Organising bodyLiga Futbol Inc.
Founded2017 (2017)
CountryPhilippines
ConfederationAFC
Number of teamsTBA
Level on pyramid1
Domestic cup(s)Copa Paulino Alcantara
International cup(s)
Current championsKaya–Iloilo (1st title)
(2022–23)
Most championshipsUnited City (4 titles)
Top goalscorerBienvenido Marañón (71)
TV partnersPFL (Facebook and YouTube live stream)
Websitewww.pfl.org.ph
Current: 2024 Philippines Football League

The Philippines Football League (PFL) is a men's professional football league in the Philippines. Sanctioned by the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) and organized by Liga Futbol Inc., it is the country's primary football competition. Until the 2024 season, it was contested by 5 clubs, playing each other 4 times (home and away twice), and the season ran from August to June. The league does not have a system of promotion and relegation. All PFL clubs also take part in the Copa Paulino Alcantara, the annual domestic cup competition.

Founded in 2017, the PFL supplanted the Metro Manila-based United Football League (UFL), which was the de facto top-tier league in the country from 2009 to 2016.[1] Since then, 11 clubs have competed in the PFL. United City (formerly Ceres–Negros) is the most successful club, with four consecutive titles. Aside from them, the only other club to have won the title is most recent champion Kaya–Iloilo.

The PFL's structure and organization has undergone several changes over the years. In 2018, the PFL was briefly dissolved due to financial and logistical issues, with the Philippine Premier League (PPL) supplanting it. However, with the folding of the PPL after just one matchday, the PFL was revived in May 2019.

History

Origins

Following the success of the Philippines national team in the 2010 AFF Suzuki Cup, Philippine football experienced a renaissance. With no existing national football league, the United Football League (UFL) established itself as the de facto top-tier league in the Philippines. Under the guidance of the Football Alliance (FA) in partnership with United Football Clubs Association (UFCA), the UFL flourished. However, the PFF expressed the need to have a nationwide, community-based football league that is at par with the standards set by the Fédération Internationale de Football Association (FIFA) and the Asian Football Confederation (AFC).[2] The UFL, which was under the National Capital Region Football Association, could not be considered as a national league.

Foundations

Map showing the 13 localities (provinces, cities or municipalities) in red deemed viable home venues for prospect clubs of the Philippines Football League
13 localities deemed viable home venues by the Nielsen Company for prospect clubs in the PFL.[3]

With the goal of establishing a truly nationwide professional football league in the Philippines, the PFF launched National League Task Force on December 2, 2013.[4] The task force was led by PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. and general secretary Edwin Gastanes, also composing of Filipino economist Bernie Villegas, UFL president Randy Roxas, AFC deputy general secretary and competition director Dato' Windsor John, Filipino FIFA official Domeka Garamendi, AFC kick-off program director Yogesh Desai, UFL commissioner Bonnie Ladrido, ABS-CBN's Dino Laurena, former PFF general secretary Cyril Dofitas and Gelix Mercader.[5][6] The task force was tasked to do market research studies to determine the possible cities or regions where participating football clubs could be feasibly based, as well as assisting clubs in the Philippines to conform to the PFF club licensing regulations, of which the draft was initiated by Gastanes, with guidance from AFC. The PFF initially set a goal to launch the national league in two to three years from the inception of the task force.[2]

Singaporean sports marketing agency, Red Card Group led by former Singaporean international, R. Sasikumar, assisted the PFF in the initial stages of planning the league.[7]

Nielsen study

Nielsen was tasked by PFF, through funding from FIFA and AFC to conduct a study in 2015, where they identified 13 key localities throughout the Philippines as viable home venues for participating clubs in the PFL. Among the factors considered were existing infrastructures, accessibility, capacity of fans to pay, the existence of sponsors, and fan appreciation of the sport.[3]

"Philippines Football League" was the most-preferred name for a prospective league according to a Nielsen survey which covered interviews of 5,000 people nationwide. Other choices included "P-League", "Maharlika League" (inspired by a feudal warrior class existing in the Luzon region during the pre-colonial era),[8] "Liga Pilipina", and "Philippine Premier League".[9]

Launch

Shangri-La at the Fort at Bonifacio Global City where the official launch of the PFL was hosted.

The Philippines Football League was officially announced on September 7, 2016, and would be replacing the UFL as the Philippines' top-tier football league.[10]

At least six teams from all over the Philippines was planned to be part of the PFL, with clubs from the UFL invited to join. Clubs were given until December 2016 to formally apply to join the PFL.[3] The league competition was slated to begin in either the late March or early April in 2017.[1]

By April 1, 2017, the PFF confirmed the participation of 8 clubs from - Ilocos United and Stallion Laguna from Luzon; JPV Marikina, Kaya F.C.–Makati (now Kaya F.C.-Iloilo) and FC Meralco Manila (now Loyola F.C.) from Metro Manila; Ceres–Negros (now United City) and Global Cebu (now Global F.C.) from the Visayas; Davao Aguilas from Mindanao.[11]

The official launching of the PFL happened on April 21, 2017, at the Shangri-La at the Fort in Taguig.[12] The program was started by economist and PFL Task Force Chairman, Bernardo Villegas and ended by PFF President Mariano Araneta.[13]

2017 and 2018 seasons

The inaugural season in 2017 was contested by eight clubs and had two stages; the regular season and a playoff competition. The regular season adopted a home-and-away, double round-robin format. The top four teams in the regular season advanced to the play-off round, dubbed as the "Final Series", to determine the champions of the league.[14] Ceres-Negros won the inaugural league title.

For the second season, the Final Series was scrapped due to the introduction of the Copa Paulino Alcantara, the cup competition for the league.[15] The number of clubs in the league was reduced from eight to six after the departure of Ilocos United (then converted to a grassroots association)[16] and FC Meralco Manila (that stayed active on a youth level ever since),[17][18] both due to lack of investment and sponsorship, while Kaya-Makati F.C. relocated to Iloilo City and changed their name accordingly.[19] Ceres-Negros won their second title.[20]

Replacement by the Philippine Premier League

In late-2018, Triple CH led by Thailand-based Filipino businessman Bernie Sumayao became involved in the league and has entered talks with PFF chairman Mariano Araneta.[21] He was appointed as the league's new commissioner.[22] Sumayao pledged to institute financial and structural reforms in the league; including a rebrand of the league to the "Philippine Premier League" (PPL) starting the 2019 season, more favorable sponsorship policies, and the disestablishment of the franchise fee in favor of a less expensive registration fee for clubs.[21]

At least eight teams were projected to play in the PPL's inaugural season.[21] However, the end of the 2017 season also saw the departure of a third club in the league's history, Davao Aguilas F.C.[23] Despite this, the league has received applications from several new clubs aspiring to join the PFL.[21]

Revival and continued organization

The PPL effectively folded after the PFF announced that it has revoked its sanction of the league on May 3, 2019, due to its non compliance to the agreement with PFF.[24] The PFL was consequently revived, with a third season planned to commence within the year.[25] The new format proceeded as planned, with Ceres–Negros claiming their third consecutive league title despite internal managerial struggles.[26]

The PFL secured a three-year sponsorship deal with Qatar Airways on January 26, 2020, with the Qatari firm becoming the Airline partner and Title Sponsor of the PFL.[27] Negotiations for deal occurred as early as November 2019.[28] The league was formally renamed as "The Philippines Football League brought to you by Qatar Airways" as a result of the sponsorship.[29][30]

The 2020 season was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and was later held in a bio-secure bubble in Carmona, Cavite from October 28 to November 9, 2020, while the edition of the Copa Paulino Alcantara was cancelled, due to the time constraints caused by the original postponement.[31][32][33] Ceres-Negros, which had just sustained an ownership change and got renamed as "United City F.C.",[34][35] then proceeded to win their fourth title in a row, with Kaya F.C.-Iloilo finishing second despite remaining unbeaten and thus becoming the first club in PFL's history to do so.[36]

The same year saw the official entry in the competition of newly founded Azkals Development Team, directly controlled by the national football federation, as a guest team that would host mainly "homegrown" young talents, as well as some overage players, in order to expand the resources of the national team.[37][38][39]

In 2021, following the rise of Philippines in the AFC rankings and the expansion of the AFC Champions League's group stage from 32 to 40 teams,[40][41] United City became the first Filipino team to qualify for the group stage of the competition, as winners of the 2020 edition of the PFL. Plus, the 2021 season saw both the return of the league cup, set to be organized in April,[42] and a slight expansion of the league,[43] with PFL commissioner Coco Torre announcing in February that Loyola F.C. (returning to the league after competing for the last time in 2018) and former UFL team Laos F.C. (on his official debut) had submitted their respective requests to join the competition.[44]

Competition format

The PFL followed a traditional home-and-away double round-robin format from 2018 to 2019, although some clubs did not have their home stadiums.

In the 2020 season, all matches are held in a bio-secure bubble single venue.[45]

Since 2017, the league had two phases, the regular season, and the "Finals Series", a play-off round where the top four teams played to determine the champions.[14][10] There was a proposal to convert the former UFL to a second division tournament or a reserve league to the PFL.[46][15]

Qualification for Asian competitions

  • AFC Champions League
    • 2017–2020: The league's champions qualify for the preliminary round of the play-offs, and they have to renounce to their slot in the AFC Cup in case of advancement to the group stage.
    • 2021–2023: The league's champions qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament; the winners of the Copa Paulino Alcantara (or the league's second placers, only for the 2020 season) qualify for the preliminary round of the play-offs, and they have to renounce to their slot in the AFC Cup in case of advancement to the group stage.
  • AFC Cup
    • 2017: The league's second placers qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament, with third placers eligible to replace them whether they were unable to play in the competition; if the league's champions failed to advance to the group stage of AFC Champions League, they would still benefit from a free slot in the tournament.
    • 2018–2020: The winners of the Copa Paulino Alcantara qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament; if the league's champions failed to advance to the group stage of AFC Champions League, they would still benefit from a free slot in the tournament.
    • 2021–2023: The winners of the Copa Paulino Alcantara (or the league's second placers, only for the 2020 season) qualify directly for the group stage of the tournament.

Clubs (2023)

Locations of clubs for the 2022–23 Philippines Football League season.

Eleven clubs have played in the PFL since its inception in 2017, up to and including the 2022–23 season.

The following seven clubs were scheduled to compete in the 2022–23 edition; three of them have been competing since 2017. Cebu F.C., which made their debut in the 2021 season.[47]

Philippines Football League
Team Location Stadium Capacity Joined PFL Team founded Best finish Ref.
Dynamic Herb Cebu Cebu City Dynamic Herb–Borromeo Sports Complex 500 2022 2021 2nd (2022–23) [47]
Kaya–Iloilo Iloilo City Iloilo Sports Complex 7,000 2017 1996 1st (2022–23) [48]
Maharlika Manila Taguig McKinley Hill Stadium 2,000 2020 2020 5th (2020) [49]
Mendiola 1991 Imus, Cavite City of Imus Grandstand and Track Oval[lower-alpha 1] 4,800 2019 1991 4th (2020)
Stallion Laguna Biñan, Laguna Biñan Football Stadium 2,580 2017 2002 3rd (2019) [51][52]

Timeline

League member Former member Guest team

Champions

Organization

The Philippines Football League, along with the PFF Cup, is managed by Liga Futbol Inc.[53] Singapore-based Red Card Global, a sports marketing agency has exclusive commercial rights to the PFL.[54] Each club had to pay a franchise fee to participate in the league.[10] Reportedly in April 2017, the franchise fee was pegged at $500,000 by the PFF which can be paid by member clubs within a period of five years.[55]

The league is professional in nature, clubs are intended to have a share of the league's broadcast revenues and sponsorship. Each club is allowed to be assisted by the league in securing their own sponsors.[1]

The professional status of the league is recognized by the Games and Amusements Board, the regulatory body for professional sports in the Philippines.[56]

In October 2018, the Philippines Football Federation was awarded the League Development award by the Asian Football Confederation for its organization of the PFL.[57]

Club identity

All PFL clubs were required under the PFF club licensing regulations to have a name that includes the name of their home locality. The clubs were also required to have nicknames, crests, and colors based on the unique characteristics of their home locality.[58]

Players and salaries

Participating clubs were allowed to have between 25 and 30 players. Reportedly in September 2016, four foreign players were to be allowed per club, with at least one coming from an AFC country.[9] On January 17, 2017, it was reported that this foreign player limit rule was yet to be finalized by the PFF.[59]

The PFL reportedly planned to have a salary cap and a salary floor.[10]

Youth development

All participating clubs in the PFL were required to commit to the organization and development of at least two youth teams, one under 18 and another under 15. The clubs' youth teams were required to participate in competitions organized by the Philippine Football Federation.[58]

Stadiums

The clubs of the PFL were required to have a certified home stadium either through ownership of the stadium or having an active contract with the owners of the stadium. Likewise, all clubs were required to have access to or own a training field and facility,[58] although some clubs have been allowed to provisionally participate even without a designated home stadium.

Sponsorship

Title sponsor

Company Period Ref.
Qatar Airways 2020–present [60]

Media coverage

Arnie Pasinabo of Ceres-Negros (2nd from left) shakes the hand of Jalsor Soriano of Kaya FC-Iloilo in a press conference. They are flanked by the head coaches of their clubs
Press conference held prior to a league match between Ceres-Negros and Kaya-Iloilo. May 11, 2018.

The Philippine Football Federation had an agreement with the People's Television Network to broadcast matches of the league which was signed in April 2017[61] though the network coverage of the league didn't last at least half a season.[62] Matches since then were live streamed through the MyCujoo online platform.[63]

On February 22, 2018, the league had signed an agreement with Sportradar which would enable it livestream matches through Sportradar's Over-The-Top (OTT) platform.[53][64] In April 2018, Liga Futbol Inc. approved a budget to secure a broadcasting partner for the 2018 season.[65]

For the 2019 season, all matches were streamed on Facebook and the league's official website.[66]

The Qatar Airways sponsorship deal signed with the league in January 2020 included provisions to broadcast selected matches live on television.[67] On October 15, during the virtual conference of the official launch of the 2020 PFL season, PFF President Mariano Araneta announced the partnership with One Play Sports as digital content partner.[68] Matches were also broadcast on cable television through EXPTV on Cignal and on the PFL's social media.[69]

Notes

  1. ↑ Mendiola plan to host matches at a temporary home venue while the club's stadium is being constructed.[50]
  2. 1 2 3 United City were known as Ceres–Negros until 2020

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Ceres FC ready to apply for PFL license". The Visayan Daily Star. October 15, 2016. Archived from the original on October 18, 2016. Retrieved October 16, 2016.
  2. 1 2 Bautista, Roehl Niño (December 2, 2013). "Philippine Football Federation set to launch national league". GMA News. Archived from the original on September 24, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  3. 1 2 3 Del Rosario, Paolo (September 6, 2016). "PFF bares plans for national football league". CNN Philippines. Archived from the original on September 17, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  4. ↑ "PFF to Establish National League in 2016". Philippine Football Federation. December 2, 2013. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  5. ↑ "PFF To Brief Interested Clubs On Philippines Football League". September 6, 2016. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  6. ↑ Guerrero, Bob (December 2, 2013). "PFF announces national football league to launch in 2015 or 2016". Passionate Fan. Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved September 9, 2016.
  7. ↑ Tan, Noah (November 11, 2016). "Sasikumar a key player in new Philippines pro football league". Today. Mediacorp Press Ltd. Archived from the original on November 11, 2016. Retrieved November 11, 2016.
  8. ↑ Morrow, Paul (January 16, 2009). "Maharlika and the ancient class system". Pilipino Express. Archived from the original on January 19, 2009. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  9. 1 2 Ventura, Sid (September 6, 2016). "With PFF Backing, National Pro Football League Set to Debut in 2017". Sports 5. TV5 Network Inc. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 4 Guerrero (September 6, 2016). "PFF one step closer to launching nationwide pro football league". Rappler. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved September 8, 2016.
  11. ↑ Doble, Henry (April 1, 2017). "8 teams for PFL inaugural kickoff". Sun Star Bacolod. Archived from the original on October 19, 2019. Retrieved April 1, 2017.
  12. ↑ Jacinto, Christian (April 22, 2017). "Finally, a national league for the Philippines after launch of PFL". Sport Interactive Network Philippines. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  13. ↑ "Inaugural PFL season draws 8 teams from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao". Fox Sports Philippines. April 22, 2017. Archived from the original on April 22, 2017. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  14. 1 2 "PFF to brief interested clubs on Philippines Football League". Philippine Football Federation. September 6, 2016. Archived from the original on November 17, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  15. 1 2 "PFL Season 2018 Begins March 3". Philippines Football League. January 31, 2018. Archived from the original on December 4, 2019. Retrieved January 31, 2018.
  16. ↑ Carmen, Lorenzo del (January 18, 2018). "Ilocos United takes leave from PFL". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on December 3, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  17. ↑ "PH football club Meralco Manila ceases operations". Rappler. January 8, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  18. ↑ "Loyola FC to continue youth academy". The Manila Times. January 16, 2018. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  19. ↑ "Kaya Futbol Club chooses Iloilo as its new home court". www.pna.gov.ph. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  20. ↑ "Ceres captures back to back PFL titles". Philippine Daily Inquirer. July 25, 2018. Archived from the original on July 25, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2018.
  21. 1 2 3 4 Guerrero, Bob (December 8, 2018). "Bernie Sumayao looks to transform Philippine club football". Rappler. Archived from the original on December 9, 2018. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
  22. ↑ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (December 16, 2018). "New PPL chief saddened by Davao Aguilas pullout". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on December 16, 2018. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
  23. ↑ "Davao Aguilas-Belmare FC quits PFL". Pinoyfootball. December 14, 2018. Archived from the original on March 31, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  24. ↑ "PFF Terminates Agreement With League Operator". Tiebreaker Times. May 4, 2019. Archived from the original on May 12, 2019. Retrieved May 3, 2019.
  25. ↑ Del Carmen, Lorenzo (May 4, 2019). "PFF sinks PPL, promises to revive PFL". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on May 4, 2019. Retrieved May 4, 2019.
  26. ↑ Tupas, Cedelf P. (May 11, 2020). "Ceres completes big year despite ownership troubles". INQUIRER.net. Archived from the original on August 21, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  27. ↑ Cabanlong, Xy-Zha (January 29, 2020). "PFF-Qatar Airways seals deal for PFL Sponsorship". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  28. ↑ "Qatar Airways to Sponsor the Philippines Football League". Qatar Airways. November 26, 2019. Archived from the original on February 12, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Nonong Araneta remains as PFF president". Tiebreaker Times. November 29, 2019. Archived from the original on April 6, 2023. Retrieved December 2, 2019. Qatar Airways, upon Araneta's request, has agreed to a three-year deal as title sponsor of the PFL starting next year.
  30. ↑ "Philippines Football League Embarks On Path To Return Of Competition". Philippine Football Federation. July 13, 2020. Archived from the original on July 13, 2020. Retrieved July 13, 2020.
  31. ↑ Saladjeno, Ivan Stewart (May 28, 2020). "PFF to submit protocols to GAB for possible PFL return". www.pna.gov.ph. Archived from the original on November 16, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  32. ↑ Cabanlong, Xy-Zha (May 27, 2020). "PFF prexy Nonong Araneta hopeful on football's return in PH". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  33. ↑ "PFL set for compact season on October 25 with strict protocols". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on March 23, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  34. ↑ "End of an Era: Ceres-Negros set for name, ownership change". Tiebreaker Times. July 8, 2020. Archived from the original on September 18, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  35. ↑ "Ownership transfer official: Ceres Negros to rebrand to United City FC". ESPN.com. July 23, 2020. Archived from the original on January 17, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  36. ↑ Carmen, Lorenzo del (November 6, 2020). "United City remains as king of PFL". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  37. ↑ Del Rosario, Paolo (March 7, 2020). "Future of Philippine football is bright with Azkals Development Team". ESPN. Archived from the original on September 14, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  38. ↑ Rabelas, John Maverick (February 2, 2020). "Paradigm Shift: The ADT Program launches". The Huddle PH. Archived from the original on February 16, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  39. ↑ "ADT is the sure way forward – Palami". AFF - The Official Website Of The Asean Football Federation. March 11, 2020. Archived from the original on January 23, 2022. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  40. ↑ "AFC Club Competitions Ranking | AFC". the-AFC. Archived from the original on July 6, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  41. ↑ "AFC to invest in new era of national team and club competitions | Football | News |". the-AFC. Archived from the original on February 5, 2020. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  42. ↑ "PFL eyes 2021 opening in April with Copa Paulino Alcantara". Spin.ph. Archived from the original on January 22, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  43. ↑ Leyba, Olmin. "Expanded cast expected in next PFL tourney". Philstar.com. Archived from the original on November 7, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  44. ↑ Suyu, Ian (February 11, 2021). "2 teams to join PFL". Daily Tribune. Archived from the original on February 12, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  45. ↑ "Loyola, Laos look to make return with PFL". February 13, 2021. Archived from the original on February 15, 2021. Retrieved February 14, 2021.
  46. ↑ Valderrama, Aeron Paul (September 6, 2016). "Formation of Philippines Football League officially underway". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on September 9, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  47. 1 2 del Carmen, Lorenzo (July 30, 2021). "PFF gives Cebu provisionary license; Laos given deadline to fulfill requirements". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on August 1, 2021. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
  48. ↑ Ferer, Cindy (February 6, 2018). "Kaya Futbol Club chooses Iloilo as its new home court". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on February 6, 2018. Retrieved February 6, 2018.
  49. ↑ "Clubs submit Team Roster form". The Philippines Football League. February 10, 2023. Archived from the original on February 11, 2023. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  50. ↑ Saldajeno, Ivan (February 29, 2020). "Mendiola in talks with Imus city government for hosting PFL matches". Dugout Philippines. Retrieved April 5, 2022.
  51. ↑ Biantan, Jack (November 24, 2016). "UFL teams disperse to provinces to form PH Football League". Sun Star Cagayan de Oro. Archived from the original on May 10, 2017. Retrieved November 24, 2016.
  52. ↑ Co, Adrian Stewart. "Stallion, JP Voltes jump ship to PH Football League". Panay News. Archived from the original on July 29, 2017. Retrieved December 29, 2016.
  53. 1 2 "Philippines Football League (PFL) partners Sportradar for multiyear data, OTT and integrity services". CalvinAyre.com. February 22, 2018. Archived from the original on February 22, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  54. ↑ Osman, Shamir (April 13, 2017). "Phillippines [sic] reiterates opposition to ASL after launch of new pro league". The New Paper. Archived from the original on December 4, 2021. Retrieved April 22, 2017.
  55. ↑ Biantan, Jack (April 10, 2017). "Biantan: Aguilas FC lucky to have Jefferson Cheng". Sun Star Cagayan de Oro. Archived from the original on April 13, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  56. ↑ "GAB grants PFL professional license". Fox Sports Philippines. May 3, 2017. Retrieved May 6, 2017.
  57. ↑ "Philippine FF receives League Development Award". Asian Football Confederation. October 31, 2018. Archived from the original on October 31, 2018. Retrieved November 1, 2018.
  58. 1 2 3 "Club Licensing Regulations for Philippines Football League" (PDF). Pasig: Philippine Football Federation. March 23, 2015. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved September 7, 2016.
  59. ↑ Biantan, Jack (January 17, 2017). "Stallions FC Laguna prepares for Philippine Football League". Sun Star. Archived from the original on January 18, 2017. Retrieved January 17, 2017.
  60. ↑ Neil (January 30, 2020). "Qatar Airways officially a Philippine Football League title sponsor". BusinessWorld Online. Retrieved July 30, 2023.
  61. ↑ PTV Network at PFF, pumirma ng kasunduan [PTV Network and the PFF signed an agreement] (Television production). People's Television Network. April 12, 2017. Archived from the original on April 12, 2017. Retrieved April 12, 2017.
  62. ↑ Limpag, Mike (December 28, 2017). "Here's hoping to a better PFL in 2018". Sun Star Cebu. Archived from the original on January 1, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  63. ↑ del Carmen, Lorenzo (January 1, 2018). "Smart Sports' Best of 2017: Banner year for Filipinas, Ceres-Negros". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on January 2, 2018. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
  64. ↑ del Carmen, Lorenzo (February 22, 2018). "PFL, Sportradar sign deal for online broadcast platform". Tiebreaker Times. Archived from the original on February 22, 2018. Retrieved February 22, 2018.
  65. ↑ Doble, Henry (April 4, 2018). "PFL soon to air live coverage". Sun Star Bacolod. Archived from the original on April 5, 2018. Retrieved April 4, 2018.
  66. ↑ Saldajeno, Ivan Stewart (January 29, 2020). "Qatar Airways formalizes partnership with PFL". Philippine News Agency. Archived from the original on January 30, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020. The PFL did not enjoy having televised matches all season long last year from the league season to the Copa Paulino Alcantara, although all of the matches were streamed live in the PFL website and in its Facebook page.
  67. ↑ "PFF Inks Three-Year Partnership With Qatar Airways For The PFL". Philippine Football Federation. January 29, 2020. Archived from the original on January 29, 2020. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  68. ↑ "Qatar Airways-backed Season Kickoff Set October 25". Philippine Football League. October 15, 2020. Archived from the original on October 17, 2020. Retrieved October 15, 2020.
  69. ↑ "5 things to look forward to in the upcoming PFL season". Phil Star. October 21, 2020. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved October 21, 2020.
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