Spanish striker Bienvenido Marañon is still unlikely to don the Philippine Azkals colors in the joint FIFA World Cup and AFC Asian Cup qualifiers slated next month in China.
Philippine Football Federation (PFF) president Mariano Araneta said the naturalization process of Marañon has yet to be approved as it was not transmitted by the Congress to President Rodrigo Duterte.
“We have been facing challenges in preparing the men’s national team and we were hoping that the urgency of our situation would have made the process of Bienve’s naturalization faster,” Araneta said on Tuesday night.
“But with the current situation, we are facing the prospect of not having Bienve in the team for the remaining matches, considering the numerous requirements he has to comply with before he can suit up for the country,” he added.
Araneta, however, said that the PFF is still looking forward to having the United City Football Club striker represent the national men’s football team in their future tournaments.
“We understand the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic in the process which may have stalled Bienve’s papers in Congress. We remain patient and hopeful that Bienvenido Marañon can join the national team in the future,” Araneta said.
