![“I call upon our faithful in the Archdiocese to offer prayers for his [Pope Francis] eternal repose. What remains now is to continue to pursue the dream he cultivated — that God is near and journeys with us," says Jaro Archbishop Midyphil Billones. JARO METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL PHOTO](https://www.panaynews.net/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/archbishop_1_resized-218x150.jpg "Jaro archbishop calls for prayers following death of Pope Francis")
MANILA – Professional football teams in the country have been given the green light to resume training. The Philippine Football Federation (PFF), therefore, is now preparing for the possible start of the 2020 Philippines Football League (PFL) season.
“We thank both IATF-EID (Inter-Agency Task Force on Emerging Infectious Diseases) and GAB (Games and Amusements Board) headed by Chairman Baham Mitra for their approval in ensuring that professional sports may push through despite the ongoing pandemic,” PFF president Mariano Araneta Jr. said.
He added: “The next step now is to ensure the health and safety of the players as we prepare for the start of the PFL.”
Based on the recommendation approved by the IATF-EID, small group practices of up to five persons would be allowed in places under general community quarantine while a maximum of 10 players would be allowed in areas under modified general community quarantine.
“PFF would like to emphasize that the health and safety of the players are most important in ensuring that the league pushes through this year,” PFF general secretary Atty. Edwin Gastanes said.
“With the IATF’s approval, PFL teams can now proceed to train so that players’ match fitness is achieved and injury is prevented during the eventual resumption of PFL,” he added.
There are currently six listed teams for the 2020 PFL season. They are three-time defending champions Ceres-Negros FC, Kaya Futbol Club-Iloilo, Global-Makati FC, Mendiola FC 1991, Stallion Laguna FC, and the Azkals Development Team./PN
