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FIFPro Opinion: Agents

FIFPro has an extremely critical opinion about the practice of players’ agents in general. A number of those agents seems to place their own interests above those of the players they represent. An unnecessarily large amount of money disappears from professional football through agents. The existing FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations have proven to be inadequate. FIFPro feels that it is time for a completely new approach.

 

FIFA also believes that large-scale changes are necessary and is working on a drastic revision of the Players’ Agents Regulations. FIFPro supports FIFA’s intentions in this regard. FIFPro is represented in a working group concerned with the reform and improvement of the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations. FIFA expects the working group to present the new rules in March 2010. FIFPro remains closely involved in the formulation of these new regulations and will continue to keep a critical eye on the activities of players’ agents.

 

In 2001, FIFA introduced a revised version of the FIFA Players’ Agents Regulations which are still in effect. One of these regulations stipulates,  that a player’s agent must apply for a licence from a national association, pass a written examination and have professional liability insurance. In practice, this regulation does not appear to be working satisfactorily, much to the irritation of FIFA, the clubs and FIFPro. The number of FIFA agents has increased rapidly, yet FIFA has nevertheless concluded that only 25-30% of all international transfers are effected through certified agents.

 

There are five main problems regarding the activities of players’ agents:

  • agents’ payments (some payments are extremely disproportionate in relation to the work actually performed);
  • the protection of minors (prevention of child trafficking);
  • dual representation/conflict of interest (some agents have a double interest in a transfer  because they work for both the club and the player);
  • the approaching of contracted players (some agents urge players to end their contracts prematurely);
  • professional competence (the quality of agents cannot be guaranteed); 

 

FIFPro expects that the new regulations will solve part of the problems described above.

 

 

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