PFF to contest AFC ban on Philippine U20 team

The Philippine Football Federation (PFF) will ask the Asian Football Confederation (AFC) to reconsider sanctions imposed over the withdrawal of the Philippine U20 Men’s National Team from the AFC U20 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers.

In a statement, the PFF said it acknowledges the AFC decision on the withdrawal and the corresponding sanctions.

The federation said it respects the AFC’s competition regulations and decisions, and remains committed to fulfilling its responsibilities as a member association.

It said, however, that it intends to avail itself of the applicable AFC procedures to seek reconsideration, so that the U20 team may participate in the next qualifying competition.

The AFC Disciplinary and Ethics Committee, in its Nov. 5 meeting, disqualified the PFF from the next edition of the AFC U20 Asian Cup and ordered it to pay a fine of USD 10,000.

The committee’s published list of decisions states that the PFF withdrew on July 27, 35 days before its first scheduled match on Aug. 31.

The fine must be settled within 30 days from the date the decision is communicated, according to the same document.

The Philippines had been drawn in Group A with South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, and Lebanon.

The PFF said the difficult decision to withdraw was made in light of the historic opportunity for the U23 Philippine Men’s National Team (U23 PMNT) to play in the 2026 Asian Games, and given the resources available at the time.

The Asian Games stint was the country’s first appearance in the men’s football tournament since 1974, the federation said.

The PFF added that the participation was also part of the team’s preparations for the 2027 Southeast Asian Games.

The team aims to build on its 2025 campaign, when it reached the semifinals for the first time since 1991.

The federation said it is committed to building its national youth pathway.

It cited its participation this year in the FIFA U15 World Cup & Festival, the ASEAN U17 and U19 Boys’ Championships, the AFC U17 Women’s Asian Cup, and the ongoing AFC U17 Asian Cup 2027 Qualifiers, as well as upcoming youth tournaments in 2027.

“The U20 and U23 national teams remain integral parts of our long-term strategy to develop a stronger Philippine Men’s National Team,” the PFF said.

“The PFF will continue investing in youth development, expanding competitive opportunities, and preparing our young players for regional, continental and international competitions,” it added.

“Our direction is clear: build stronger national teams, establish sustainable player development pathways, and position Philippine football for greater competitiveness on the international stage,” the federation said.