THE Philippine Football Federation on Friday clarified it has not banned a journalist from covering the ongoing training camp of the women’s national team, saying it only limited access upon the coaches' request so the squad can focus on the build-up.
In a statement, the PFF cited the coaching staff’s directive to limit access to the Fililipinas camp at the MOA Football Field to explain why football journalist Venice Furio's request for access to interview players was denied.
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“The team’s coaching staff has emphasized the necessity of minimizing distractions during training periods to optimize performance and maintain focus,” the PFF statement said of the Filipinas' current training camp for this year’s AFF Championships and the Southeast Asian Games.
“This is particularly crucial as the team prepares for significant competitions, including the upcoming AFF Championships and the Southeast Asian Games. The coaching staff believes that dedicated training and recovery time are essential for the team’s success. This is a standard practice in high-performance sports environments globally.
“To be clear, the PFF has not issued a ban on any journalist. Any decisions regarding limited access during training camps are solely based on the coaching staff’s professional assessment of the players’ best interests. Focused training, free from distractions, is considered paramount for optimal performance,” the PFF added.
The PFF's statement runs counter to the claim of Furio, a mainstay in the football beat who has covered the Filipinas extensively. She claimed being told by someone from the federation that she was being denied access to members of the team because “certain individuals took issue with some of my online posts.”
As a result, “my access to the players – being a privilege – is revoked.”
Furio claimed she was also told that “just as I have the right to share my opinions online, they have the right to limit my access to the team.”
The PFF insisted it is aware of the importance of role of journalists in the development of football in the country, particularly in promoting the sport. The federation, however, also requested that the desire of the coaching staff for the team to focus on their training be respected.
“We recognize and value the vital role of journalists in promoting and covering Philippine football. We appreciate their commitment to sharing the stories of our athletes and fostering support for the team. We simply request that journalists respect the coaching staff’s decisions regarding the timing and nature of player accessibility during training camps,” said the PFF.
“The PFF remains committed to providing media access to official functions and public events. However, this does not include nor guarantee insider access to the federation or national teams. This ensures fairness and consistency for all media.
"The PFF is dedicated to finding a balance that allows the team to prepare effectively while providing appropriate media engagement opportunities,” the federation added.
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