Special Report : Is UFL ready to put a cap on foreign players ?

Karl Decena, InterAKTV

Foreign players have been a fixture in the Philippine football scene. With the sport still developing in the country, imports whose skills and talent continue to thrive in the local scene.

But the United Football League has made a move to put a cap on foreign players for each club. Starting next season, the league will implement a new rule limiting on the number of imports a team may use during matches.

In the foreign player rule, five imports will be allowed on the pitch for each team during a match. Two more foreign players can play, provided that they have been permanent residents of the Philippines for at least five years.

The move will help the UFL become more competitive in international competitions, according to general manager Cesar de Larrazabal.

“We are presently gearing up for alignment with the (Asian Football Confederation) rules on competition that would allow the UFL teams to be more competitive and prepared for AFC international tournaments,” de Larrazabal said.

Last May, the Philippines made its debut in the AFC President’s Cup, a tournament featuring clubs from the emerging football nations in Asia. The reigning UFL champion at the time, Global FC, represented the country in its first appearance in the competition.

The President’s Cup only allowed two foreigners for each club, which meant Global had to reduce the imports on its roster. The squad borrowed a number of local players, most notably Azkals goalkeeper Ed Sacapaño and midfielder Jason De Jong, in an effort to make up for the loss of its foreign players for the tournament.

Global lost two of its three matches to bow out of the tournament.

‘Good compromise’

For Stallion Sta. Lucia coach Ernie Nierras, whose team bagged the Cup and League competitions last season, limiting foreign players in the UFL will benefit Philippine football in the long run.

“I believe that this is a good compromise,” Nierras said. “To help develop more local talent, we need to put a cap on the number of imports.”

Ironically, Nierras’ Stallion has drawn a lot of benefit from the addition of foreign players to boost its lineup. This included Spanish striker Rufo Sanchez, who took home the UFL’s top individual honors last season.

Nierras sees one problem with the proposed measure.

“The question we should be addressing is the availability of local players, and the quality of local players,” Nierras said.

“We would like to say that we have an abundance of local players, that they can match up to the quality of imports. But if that was the case, then we would not be addressing the need to limit foreign players on the team.”

Nierras hopes that more varsity athletes from colleges and universities, as well as Filipino players who have foreign lineage, join the UFL to help address the lack of local talent in the country.

Too early

The foreign player rule could also affect the level of competition in the UFL, according to Jeff Blake, goalkeeper for Nomads FC and a member of the team management.

“The foreigner rule is a good idea in concept as it will promote the growth of Filipino football in the long-term,” said Blake, an American national. “However, in the short-term, I do think that the level will drop.

“I think that this is being implemented a year or two too early.”

Among the clubs in the UFL, Nomads has the strongest foreigner tradition. Founded in 1914, the club has strong links with the expatriate community in the country. Its players originate from 12 countries, including the Philippines.

Despite its inclination toward foreign players, Nomads have already started to inject some local talent in its roster. In its eighth-place finish last season, the squad signed a number of Filipinos during the League competition, and Blake said that there would be no problem adding some more.

“Throughout the season, there were times where we did start four Filipinos which is better than some other teams,” Blake said. “As to our play, if new players are to be brought in, we will look for those that fit within our team mold and chemistry.”

‘Ano ba purpose ng liga?’

But for Philippine Air Force coach Edzel Bracamonte, the foreign player rule could still be improved. After dominating the UFL just two years ago, the squad struggled last season, failing to keep up against its import-laden opponents.

One factor in Air Force’s dismal showing could be attributed to the strict rule of military teams of recruiting only Filipino players. The team was relegated after losing 16 of its 18 matches to finish at the bottom of the table and join Philippine Navy in Division Two. Philippine Army also had to figure in a playoff match to remain as the only Armed Forces team in the first division.

“Agree siguro ako kung maximum of four foreign players sa loob,” Bracamonte said. “Para mabigyan naman ng chance mga local players natin.”

With the new foreign player rule set to be implemented next season, Nomads will still try to put the most competitive squad for the next season.

“Obviously, we will have to look at our roster to figure out how to best satisfy the requirements while putting out a strong squad to compete in the league,” Blake said.

Bracamonte, meanwhile, believes that having less foreign players in the UFL will help grassroots football develop.

“Ano ba purpose ng liga? To create our national players in the future? Paano tayo makaka-produce kung more foreign players (ang) maglalaro?” Bracamonte said.

But for Nierras, foreign players are still needed to help improve the UFL and local players as well. He said that a system “properly mixing the local and foreign players” is needed to extract the best from them.

“Our local players need exposure to build their confidence. Teams with foreign players tend to do well, as long as you have good local players also,” Nierras said.

“What the local players have done is show that they can compete with the imports, and that is what this league needs.”

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