PFF releases training protocols in anticipation for PFL kick-off

Three days after being given the green light by the government's Inter-Agency Task Force for Emerging Infectious Diseases, the Philippine Football Federation has just released Monday the training protocols in anticipating the much-longed start of the fourth season of the Philippines Football League.

With the six clubs (Ceres-Negros, Kaya-Iloilo, Stallion Laguna, Mendiola, Azkals Dev't Team, Global) eagerly waiting to get out of the lockdown due to the pandemic, the federation has set the guidelines in which it hopes to minimize the spread of the coronavirus that caused a stoppage to the sporting scene for the past four months.

As prerequisite, those said persons are only to be cleared to join the training sessions if they were tested negative for the virus, in which only a maximum of ten persons at a given time.

With that, all players, officials and staff in the roster this season are required to undergo real time-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) testing, as stipulated within the guidelines of the Department of Health, with the Federation shouldering the opening round.

There will be a 30-minute interval between the groups of people, and inter-zonal travel to places under different quarantine levels are strictly prohibited.

The protocols also include stipulations before, during and after their training sessions, as well as the disinfection of the venues.

"It is the club’s and the individual’s responsibility to follow the guidelines of the health authorities," the PFF said, as it added that the protocols can be amended or revise when needed.

While only the PFF National Training Center in Carmona, Cavite is cleared to hold training sessions, the clubs have the freedom to propose the other sites, provided that they have satisfactorily passed the requirements in said infrastructure.

Photo: Winston Baltasar/Philippines Football League (file)