Azkal Stephan Palla has signed for Austrian club Grazer AK
28 August 2020
27 August 2020
Maharlika FC unveils roster, head coach
MANILA – Maharlika Football Club is dead serious in its bid to secure a license to compete in the 2020 Philippines Football League after unveiling some of its players and its head coach.
Maharlika FC team owner Anton del Rosario announced in a virtual press conference that retired Filipino-Dutch booter Bongbong Roxy Dorlas was named as the team’s head coach.
Dorlas was a former member of the Philippine men’s football team from 2008 to 2010 and also represented the country in futsal in 2010. He suited up for San Beda in college and played for Mendiola, Loyola Meralco Sparks and Global FC.
“We brought in a coach that would fit with our vision and our core for the team,” Del Rosario said. “We believe that Roxy can make things happen for Maharlika FC.”
Among the players who were announced to play for the team were Del Rosario, Simon Greatwich, Cedric Martinez-Hodreal, Joaco Canas, Enrique Ortiz, Julian Del Valle, and Jerry Barbaso.
“We want to build a sustainable platform, a sustainable team, a good program for pro football,” Maharlika FC team manager Choy Calunsod said. “We are here for a long run. We want to be the team of the people, of the masses.”/PN
http://www.panaynews.net/maharlika-fc-unveils-roster-head-coach/
22 August 2020
United City FC taps Morgan as head coach
Adrian Stewart Co
MANILA – British-Australian Trevor Morgan has been named as the head coach of the United City Football Club, which took over the franchise of defending Philippines Football League champion Ceres-Negros FC.
Morgan, who most recently headed the Bhutan National Team that won a number of silverware in the Indian Super League, said he looks forward to handling the United City FC.
“I cannot wait to get onto the training field with the players and look forward to working with a group of high-quality players and staff,” said Morgan, who is also a decorated football manager.
“I have been given a wonderful opportunity to help take an already very successful team to the next level, and I will give everything I have to help improve our team and to further establish Philippine Football as a force to be reckoned with in Asia,” he added.
Trevor served as head coach for Sorrento Soccer Club in Western Australia and was also tapped to mentor Sengkang Punggol FC in Singapore in the Singtel League Cup. He also served as assistant coach for Hull City FC in the English Premiere League.
As a football player, he appeared in over 400 League and Cup games in the United Kingdom (UK), whilst scoring over two 200 goals, plying his trade from 1980-1994.
“His exposure to various leagues has prepared him very well for his new role as the head coach of United City Football Club, which suits very well the ambition that this club has,” said United City FC co-founder Eric Gottschalk.
“We are excited and proud to have him. Trevor will bring the necessary experience onto the pitch,” he added. “We have high ambitions for the local league and the AFC Cup and we believe Trevor is the right coach since he is no stranger to Asian football.”/PN
http://www.panaynews.net/united-city-fc-taps-morgan-as-head-coach/
Football: United City generating income? Boss Gottschalk says that's the plan
by Manolo Pedralvez
The new owners of United City FC, formerly known as Ceres-Negros FC, aim to avoid the fate suffered practically by all local professional soccer clubs over the past decade, intending the club to be a viable and profitable organization over the long haul.
“The players are receiving a salary and the money has to come from somewhere. It just cannot come from the owners pumping money into a club budget,” United City co-founder Eric Gottschalk said in a virtual press conference held last Wednesday.
“We need to bring other stakeholders to the table,” added the Dubai-based MMC Sports Marketing chief executive officer, revealing the various possible revenue streams for the club during the briefing that lasted for slightly over an hour.
Gottschalk explained that, unlike the club’s previous owner, Bacolod-based businessman Leo Rey Yanson, who bankrolled the entire team, “the (present) club is not owned by an individual but owned by a group of people that has been set up with a proper corporate structure.
“The club cannot be dependent on just an individual. I think that this will give sustainability, credibility and confidence that this football club is there to stay in the long run.”
It is common knowledge that Yanson’s family-owned transport company, one of the biggest in the country, was badly hit by the COVID-19 pandemic.
This was cited as a key reason why he was prompted to relinquish ownership and management of the multi-titled club to the new group of investors headed by Gottschalk, who used to be marketing man for the embattled Global FC until resigning early this year.
The Games and Amusements Board and the Philippine Football Federation, the organizer of the Philippines Football League, has called Global FC’s attention over its failure to pay the salaries of its players running into thousands of pesos.
Gottshcalk said that one of keys to making the new club viable was “we need to try to unlock all the commercial opportunities that there are in football.”
“Sponsorship and advertising are the obvious ones but during a pandemic just right now it is going to be a tight task,” Gottschalk acknowledged.
“We are in discussion with some brands, because we obviously want to unveil a shirt sponsor,” he added. “And before the season starts we are open to negotiations on that side. But what we are doing is trying to unlock other opportunities such as the merchandise side of things.”
Among the potential sources of income, he said, was United City’s crest and logo, “which we will make available to club fans.”
He also disclosed that “we might also become the first club in the Philippines to have a formal membership program, similar to what they have done to clubs in Europe where you have a membership card and have some benefits.
“Hopefully we can begin this formal program before the start of the season once attendance is allowed. This has been in progress for several weeks now.”
The concept is also similar to the season memberships sold by clubs in the NBA to their fans, who enjoy perks and privileges different from match-day ticket holders.
Gottschalk said the club was also exploring the possibility of charging tickets to United City matches, something virtually unheard of in domestic club competition.
“It doesn’t mean that tickets need to be overpriced but we are staging matches, having expenses and having entertainment to the community,” he said “, (so) then the community in return should also participate in a ticketing concept.
“I believe if you match-day tickets for free they lose a certain value.”
Both income schemes might not be feasible in the meantime since the PFF has announced that the PFL games will be crowd-free once the league kicks off play at the PFF national training field in Carmona, Cavite.
The club is likewise bent on monetizing its huge potential fan base by partnering with a European company "that will enable us to be one the frontrunners in sponsorship and advertising income through social media,” according to Gottschalk.
“It will really open new assets in selling for football clubs and football operations,” he said, adding that he was willing to share the plan with other PFL clubs.
At present there were no plans yet where United City will have its home base of operations, he said, stressing that the priority was “to build on the image and identity of the club. Then it is almost secondary where the actual teams will be based.”
With the team’s roster, led by Azkal team captain Stephan Schrock, complete, Gottschalk said that they would unveil the team kit next week as well as announcing the club’s new coach.
United City’s new owners failed to come to terms with Yugoslavian mentor Ristov Vidakovic, who piloted the Busmen to three successful seasons since 2017, according to general manager Ace Bright, prompting the club to look for a competent replacement.
17 August 2020
Azkals to remain focused even without events
By: Cedelf P. Tupas -
Team captain Stephan Schrock insists the Azkals aren’t losing sight of their goals, even with the postponement of the 2022 World Cup and 2023 AFC Cup Qualifiers due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The Azkals will no longer play this year after the qualifying tournament for the two biggest tournaments in their calendar was moved to next year, a decision that came after the AFF Suzuki Cup was also rescheduled.
But Schrock said the Azkals remain focused on their target of reaching the third round of the qualifiers for the first time.
With seven points from their first four matches in Group A, the Azkals are in third spot behind unbeaten Syria and China, which is only ahead on goal difference.
The Azkals were supposed to play Guam in October, before taking on China away and hosting Maldives in November.
“We always look forward to national team [duties] and the international break, but it is understandable and reasonable that due to COVID-19, we cannot push through with some events as officials, players, staff and fans will be at risk,” said Schrock, who turns 34 this month.
“We still want to prove ourselves in the group and advance and the game plan doesn’t change.”
Echoing the sentiment of coach Scott Cooper, Schrock said the team should maximize the time to process things within the team.
Several players, including Gerrit Holtmann and Raphael Obermair, are still processing documents related to their eligibility to play for the Azkals. INQ
https://sports.inquirer.net/401616/azkals-to-remain-focused-even-without-events#ixzz6VPcY7kGt
12 August 2020
No more Azkals action this year
By Ivan Saldajeno
MANILA--We will not see the Azkals back in action this year.
FIFA announced on Wednesday that the scheduled matches of the joint World Cup and AFC Asian Cup Qualifiers this October and November will be moved to sometime in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The decision was made after both FIFA and AFC continue to monitor the pandemic situation in many Asian countries.
In the Philippines, the number of positive COVID-19 cases has soared to 143,749 as of 4 p.m. Wednesday.
In the Philippines, the number of positive COVID-19 cases has soared to 143,749 as of 4 p.m. Wednesday.
"With the aim of protecting the health and safety of all participants, FIFA and the AFC will continue to work together to closely monitor the situation in the region and to identify new dates for the respective qualifying matches," FIFA said in a statement.
With the AFF Suzuki Cup also pushed to next year, the Azkals will not be seeing action for the rest of 2020.
The new dates of the joint qualifier windows will be announced at a later date
With the AFF Suzuki Cup also pushed to next year, the Azkals will not be seeing action for the rest of 2020.
The new dates of the joint qualifier windows will be announced at a later date
11 August 2020
GAB investigates Global FC over players unpaid salaries
The Games and Amusements Board (GAB) has launched a probe regarding the financial status of Global Makati Football Club.
In a statement on Saturday, GAB gave the Philippines Football League (PFL) outfit 10 days to explain about the allegations by some of its players that they have not been receiving salaries for a long time already.
"To comply with the due process requirements, the board has conducted [an] investigation and thus issued a show cause order to the management of Global FC to explain its side in writing within 10 days from receipt of such order," GAB said.
A copy of the motu propio complaint GAB gave to Global Makati reads that if Team Manager Mark Jarvis fails to respond to the show cause order after the time frame, the club will be revoked of its license and may also be blacklisted by GAB.
The accusations of unpaid wages among Global Makati players have been heard through the grapevine since last year.
Anton Del Rosario, who last played for the club when it was still representing Cebu City in 2018, is among those who have been very vocal on calling out the management to give what is due them, claiming that at least 25 players including him have not received their supposed recent paychecks.
"They still owe me six months of pay, the other players maybe two years of pay," del Rosario, who founded Maharlika Manila, which is seeking to become a PFL expansion side, said on Thursday during the online Usapang Sports forum by the Tabloid Organization in Philippine Sports.
The motu propio complaint filed by GAB seemed to back up Del Rosario's claims as two players, Jorrel Aristorenas and Jerry Barbaso, are said to have been owed over PHP1 million worth of salaries.
Another Global Makati player, Paolo Salenga, is said to be owed nearly PHP600,000 as well by the team management.
The row within the club reached boiling point when its former graphics designer, Saya Jaruda, called the team out on social media regarding the unpaid wages which even affected his college schooling.
John Cofie, one of Global Makati's new signings, then dropped a huge revelation saying that he too has not yet gotten his first paycheck with the club.
Jaruda later said that Global Makati had already reached out to him and got his salary, but the team has yet to update if it has already settled its dues with its players.
Following a meeting with the PFL, Global Makati vowed to resolve its salary issues within a 10-day period which ended on Aug. 3, but no news has been heard about it since then.
The PFL could also revoke Global Makati's license for failing to comply within the time frame it set.
To make matters worse, the club shut down all its social media pages, further casting uncertainties on whether it will still participate in this year's PFL season.
Meanwhile, GAB reiterated its assurance that the professional athletes will be taken care of by the agency regarding their salary situation.
"As [the] agency tasked with regulating and supervising professional sports in the country, GAB shall ensure that the welfare of our professional athletes should be upheld at all times," GAB further said.
On the other hand, del Rosario hopes that the Global Makati players will get what should be due them.
"I just want justice for not even myself but for all the other players because... a lot of these players who committed their time and effort over the months, possibly years, didn't receive any wages during that time," he said. "I can't imagine the struggles they're going to now."*PNA
https://www.visayandailystar.com/2020/August/10/sportnews1.htm
08 August 2020
Maharlika FC signifies intent to join the PFL
By Michael Angelo S. Murillo
Senior Reporter
THE PHILIPPINES Football League (PFL) could add another team in its fold with Maharlika FC signifying its intent to join the four-year-old league.
Led by former Philippine Azkals player and 7s Football League founder Anton del Rosario, Maharlika FC is currently in the process of working on its license to operate as a team and compete in leagues like the PFL.
“We are currently going through the process of getting our license. I think we have a pretty good lineup of players willing to play for the team,” shared Mr. Del Rosario in an online forum with sports media on Thursday.
“But we are more focused on presenting a new side to be able to show that we want to look towards the future and instead of just focusing on winning we want to create something sustainable where we get the supporters and the fans behind our team and push us to be competitive,” he added.
Mr. Del Rosario did not divulge the names of the players of Maharlika FC, reserving the announcement for a later date. But he did say that the team is to be composed of “former Azkals players, ex-pros and a few youth guys.”
The Maharlika FC founder went on to share that they hope through the team they get to continue doing their share in the development of the sport in the country and bringing people in to support the “beautiful game.”
On the part of the PFL, it said the league welcomes Maharlika FC if the latter does push through with its plans to join.
“They (Maharlika) have sent their intent to join and are undergoing licensing process and they have high chances of making it,” said PFL Commissioner Coco Torre in an online interview with BusinessWorld.
Mr. Torre said they like the enthusiasm that Mr. Del Rosario and his group are showing and view them as a good addition to the league if ever.
They are a very enthusiastic group and I see great potential with them because they have a vision which is aligned with ours. The way they plan to market their club will also help bring awareness and following to the league aside from their competitive attitude,” the PFL commissioner said.
If Maharlika FC successfully makes the cut, it will join Kaya FC-Iloilo, Stallion Laguna FC, Mendiola FC, United City Football Club, and the Azkals Development Team in the roster of teams competing.
The status of another team, Global FC, meanwhile, remains up in the air after it failed to honor its commitment to settle outstanding financial obligations with its players.
07 August 2020
Football: As roster begins to take shape, United City FC looking to bring back head coach
Camille B. Naredo, ABS-CBN News
MANILA, Philippines -- United City FC has retained the core of the team that ruled the last three seasons of the Philippines Football "I know it must be tough to support a new club," he said in a message to their fans. "But I assure you that our goals haven't changed. I'd love to see our Ultras Ceres supporting United City FC."
United City, along with other PFL squads, has yet to return to training after modified enhanced community quarantine was put in place in Metro Manila and neighboring provinces, including Cavite., including their talismanic team captain and top scorer.
The club, formerly known as Ceres Negros FC before being sold to a new ownership group last month, has announced that key players such as Stephan Schrock, OJ Porteria and Bievenido Maranon will remain with the team despite the change.
Schrock is the team's captain, a key fixture in the national team and one of the top midfielders in Southeast Asia. Maranon, meanwhile, was their top scorer from last season and has already netted five times in AFC competitions before sports were halted by the COVID-19 pandemic in March.
Eric Gottschalk, who represents the new ownership group, said that aside from the players, they have also retained the core of the staff.
"We are maintaining all the staff that wants to return," he said in a recent press conference.
"(General manager) Ace (Bright) has been a superstar, supporting me with the players and with the whole transition," he added. "Big thank you to him. He's been very supportive."
"On the coaching side, the local coaches will remain," Gottschalk also assured.
The ownership group is also in contact with Serbian manager Risto Vidaković, who steered Ceres Negros in their successful campaigns in the PFL as well as in continental competitions.
According to Gottschalk, their issues with Vidaković are logistical, rather than contractual.
"It's not allowed for foreigners to enter the Philippines without a work visa," he explained.
"We hope to have more clarity on that point," Gottschalk added. "We're in touch with Coach Risto, and the intent is to try to bring him back."
Meanwhile, the players are expressing their excitement for the future of the club, which seemed uncertain last month before Gottschalk's group stepped in.
Porteria, in a Facebook post, stressed that while the club's name has changed, their ambitions remain the same.
All PFL teams will train at the PFF National Training Center in Carmona.
04 August 2020
Global fails to stand by 10-day commitment, PFF to deliberate club status
By Paolo del Rosario
Ten days after Global FC made a commitment to pay all outstanding wages to players and staff, the Philippines Football League (PFL) confirmed that the embattled club has failed to make good on that promise.
"It is very disappointing to hear that Global FC was not able to stand by their commitment despite being reminded within the 10 days to settle the outstanding wages," PFL Commissioner Coco Torre told ESPN5.com.
Global FC made a commitment with the PFL to settle unpaid wages and contractual obligations following a meeting with league officials on July 23. The PFL initially called for the meeting after allegations of Global failing to meet their financial obligations surfaced online.
The allegations first arose after Saya Jurada -- a local graphic designer -- took to social media with claims of non-payment of services rendered for Global. Newly-signed UK-based footballer John Cofie also aired his grievances and claimed he is owed six months' worth of wages and a signing fee.
Jurada later posted on social media that Global FC eventually settled their owing balance and thanked club management for "correcting their mistake" last July 29. Despite settling with Jurada, Torre admitted Global has not fulfilled all of their financial obligations as promised.
This is not the first time Global FC had financial issues, with past players claiming they are owed unpaid wages for the 2019 PFL season.
Global FC is operated by Mazinyi Management Ltd. -- a Hong Kong-based consortium. Mazinyi Management took control of the Philippine club in January of this year.
Global FC team consultant Mark Jarvis could not provide answers as to why Manazinyi Management could not keep their promise and said he is waiting to hear from ownership.
"I'm also waiting (sic) an explanation from Tami Manazinyi on what happened," Jarvis told ESPN5.com.
With Global failing to make good on their commitment, the PFL now turns to the Philippine Football Federation's (PFF) Licensing First Instance Body -- the national federation's decision-making body for pro club licenses. Without a pro club license, Global FC will not be allowed to participate in the PFL.
"The league takes note of this and shall relay accordingly to the (PFF) first instance body who will convene and discuss the status of the club," Torre said.
02 August 2020
United City FC signing Bienvenido Maranon
Welcome back Bienvenido Maranon (#7) This is his 5th year with the team helping to win the league championship in the past 4 seasons. During the current 2020 AFC Champions League Qualifiers and the ongoing AFC Cup, he started in all 6 games scoring a total of 5 goals.