After inspection by its rights holder Lagardere Sports (formerly World Sports Group), the Asean Football Federation (AFF) has disapproved the 15-thousand seat Rizal Memorial Football Stadium as primary venue of the Group Stage matches to be hosted by the Philippines. The 2016 AFF Suzuki Cup competition regulations require among others a minimum 30-thousand seat capacity for primary venues of group stage matches.
While the 20-thousand seat privately-owned Philippine Sports Stadium has also been nominated, AFF however requires submission of a written stadium hire contract. Deadline of 31 January 2016 and further deadline of 9 February 2016 have lapsed without PFF receiving a signed contract from PSS.
With no qualified stadia at the moment, PFF is compelled to bring the matter to AFF and will take up the stadia qualification during the AFF Council meeting on 12 March 2016 at Danang, Vietnam.
24 February 2016. PFF House of Football, Pasig City.
Atty. Edwin Gastanes
General Secretary