THE Philippines Football League on Saturday night shut down its opening yesterday after nine people tested positive for the COVID-19 virus inside its bubble in Santa Rosa, Laguna and Carmona, Cavite.
The PFL also decided to reset its triple header at the Philippine Football Federation national training in Carmona, Cavite to a later date since the matches could be disrupted as the area lay in the path of tropical depression Quinta, which was expected to make landfall in Bicol yesterday.
Cancelled were the matches pitting the Azkals Development Team against Mendiola FC, Kaya-Iloilo FC vs. Stallion-Laguna FC and Maharlika FC vs. United City FC.
In a statement, the league reported that “five players and one coach in the Seda Nuvali (hotel) in Santa Rosa, Laguna among two clubs tested positive in RT-PCR (swab) tests” it conducted as the participants entered the bubble last Wednesday.
The PFL added that it conducted tests with the individuals who were in contact with the infected ones last Saturday “and three (more) turned positive,” adding that all of them were isolated.
“We have anticipated this scenario hence there is a set of health and safety protocols in place for incidents such as these,” PFL commissioner Coco Torre said in a statement. “What is important is that all continue to adhere with the protocols which are aimed in preventing and minimizing the spread of the virus.
“Upon checking, we have confirmed that those who tested positive admitted to have had close contact with the player who was first to test positive.”
