MANILA – Maharlika Manila will be the latest addition to the Philippines Football League (PFL) as the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) granted the Anton del Rosario-owned club a provisional license on Tuesday.
"I can officially say I'm an owner of a professional club!" del Rosario said through a Facebook post.
Last month, Maharlika Manila, through del Rosario, expressed its intent to join the PFL as soon as the upcoming fourth season.
According to PFF president Nonong Araneta and PFL commissioner Coco Torre during the Philippine Sportswriters Association Forum earlier in the day, the league is targeting an October start to the season.
Maharlika Manila is shaping up to be a formidable force with former national team players bolstering the roster.
Simon Greatwich, Jerry Barbaso, and Misagh Bahadoran were recently disclosed to be the former Azkals who will join Maharlika Manila.
Also confirmed to join the club are Cedric Hodreal, Enrique Ortiz, Julian del Valle, Manu Mariano, and foreign recruits Joaco Canas and Daniel Matsunaga.
Roxy Dorlas was named as the head coach.
Maharlika Manila players and staff are expected to undergo swab testing for the coronavirus disease 2019 on Wednesday. Those who would test negative for the virus can begin their training next week.
With Maharlika Manila officially joining, the minimum number of clubs for the PFL to start its season, which is six, was met despite the sanction PFF gave to Global Makati.
The PFF slapped the embattled club with a 90-day suspension of its license due to unpaid salaries of its players and staff.
In a statement, the PFF said Global FC was also directed "to demonstrate within 90 days that its overdue payables to employees (have) been fully settled, deferred by mutual agreement by the creditor, or are subject to a not obviously unfounded dispute submitted to a competent authority."
The PFF added that if Global Makati fails to settle the unpaid wages, its club license would be revoked. (PNA)
