MANILA (12 Aug 2015) – Global FC will be making an appeal to the Philippines Football Federation (PFF) over their disqualification from the United Football League Cup (UFL) Cup.
The organizers of the UFL have decided that Global had gone against the five-foreigner per game ruling when they fielded Satoshi Otomo, whom the club had claimed is of Filipino-Japanese descent.
For the infraction, the UFL had suspended the two-time league champion for the rest of the UFL Cup and also slapped them with a fine of P250,000 (USD 5,420).
“We owe it to everyone who shares the dream that is Global FC to keep untarnished the name and reputation that we have worked hard to build,” the club said in a statement over the weekend.
Global stuck to their guns and stated that Otomo is “unquestionably” a Filipino, being born to a Filipino mother. He had also turned out as a substitute for the Philippines in a friendly against Thailand last year.
“Instead of promoting the spirit of fair play and sportsmanship – the core values upon which this sport is founded, unbridled rivalry and unscrupulous intimidation have frustrated our efforts to strengthen our football community,” the statement read.
“In the face of all these challenges, Global FC is confident that we will emerge stronger and even more committed to be your People’s Club.”
