MANILA, Philippines – The launch of the inaugural season of the Philippine Premier League will be delayed, after two teams failed to get their club licensing from the Philippine Football Federation (PFF).

The league had hoped to open its 2019 season in late March, but announced on Tuesday that they will begin on April 27 instead.

"This will allow Mendiola FC 1991 and Philippine Air Force FC to resubmit their documentation for PFF club licensing," the league said in a statement.

"It is hoped that with the additional time the two teams can be granted provisional club licenses that will permit them to join the league this season," it added.

"We are taking this step to comply with the directives of the Philippine Football Federation, our sanctioning body."

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In its decision, the PFF said the clubs had failed "to comply with all the criteria set out in the PFF Club Licensing Regulations."

Meanwhile, the PFF granted a provisional license to the Green Archers United Football Club.

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