In a bid to prevent the Philippine Football Federation (PFF) from being dragged into a family feud, incumbent president Mariano Araneta decided to seek a fresh four-year term, where he is tipped to have a head-on collision with his vice president in Ricky Yanson in the presidential elections on 29 November.
A distinguished member of the International Football Federation and the man responsible for pumping life into the sport in 2011, Araneta said his decision to seek another term is an ultimate sacrifice so that the federation will not be a “collateral damage” in the bitter feud between Ricky and his younger brother, Leo Rey.
The Yanson brothers are at odds over their family business, the Vallacar Transit, Inc., which operates the biggest bus liner in the country in Ceres Liner.
Ceres also plays a key role in the plans and programs of the PFF for being the biggest and most active football club that also represents the country in various international tournaments.
When Ricky threw his hat into the political arena last month, Leo Rey groomed football patron Dan Palami to challenge him.
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But Palami backed off, paving the way for Araneta to declare his intention to run.
“If I will not run, football will be a collateral damage to this family feud,” said Araneta, who will also serve as chief of mission in the Tokyo Olympics in 2020.
“That’s what we don’t want to happen. We don’t money to flow in this election and bring the federation back to the dark ages. So Dan decided to back out and nominated me to run as president, instead.”
Araneta said should Ricky bag the PFF presidency, Ceres, which is being controlled by Leo Rey, would definitely withdraw from Philippine Football League (PFL).
“Even our league (PFL) would get affected if Ricky wins because Ceres would definitely quit,” Araneta said.
“Now tell me, what kind of league would we have if the biggest club in the country will not join? Also, I just secured the sponsorship of Qatar Airways for the PFL. Without the No. 1 team, the sponsor would definitely get turned off.”
“As I’ve said before, I don’t want to be the football president anymore. I already said that I am quitting. But in this situation, I am helpless. I have to help prevent football from being a collateral damage.”
