United City FC reveals reason for Copa Paulino Alcantara withdrawal

United City Football Club (UCFC) on Monday revealed its reason for pulling out from the Copa Paulino Alcantara (CPA) which they announced on October 31.

In a statement, UCFC said legal actions taken against the former club Ceres-Negros FC, which the former is "neither responsible nor have caused the circumstances, as all this arose before the take-over of the club" may affect their license application and other club's participation in the 2022 AFC Cup nominations.

"Since the legal actions taken against the former Club Ceres-Negros have been registered with FIFA, it has now affected the United City FC Club license application for AFC competitions, which as of writing, is 'provisional,'" the club said.

The club said its legal team is already "working towards an amicable solution."

"In the meantime, United City FC decided to pull out of the Copa Paulino Alcantara competition, as our participation would affect the outcome for the 2022 AFC Cup nominations of the other teams involved, among other factors, which had to be considered," it said.

UCFC also said that the Philippine Football Federation, Philippine Football League, and other stakeholders have been informed of the club's situation.

The club was grouped with Stallion Laguna FC and Dynamic Herb Cebu in Group A of the tournament.

CPA on Sunday opened with Kaya FC's win over the Azkals Development Team.

—Justin Kenneth Carandang/JMB, GMA News