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Agents may be subject to new rules
England - 03 November, 2006
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Premier League chief Richard Scudamore is hoping new laws, where clubs cannot pay agents, are enacted in time for the January transfer window.
The league is in ongoing talks with the FA, regarding the issue.
"There is going to be a big shift so that only players are going to pay agents," said Scudamore.
The Premier League will not follow in the steps of the Football League by going public with its payments to agents.
The role of football agents has come under examination after accusations of a "bung culture" in the game.
Lord Stevens' investigation into sport's fraud is expected to end by the end of the year.
The Football League has initiated strict rules governing the payment of agents and publishes a list twice a year showing what each of its clubs spends on agents.
Scudamore said publicising the clubs records gives an unfair advantage to its counterparts in Europe, who do not have to reveal payments.
"We are in a very different market. Our clubs need agents more than Football League clubs," said Scudamore, speaking at the FT Sport Industry Summit. "Our clubs argued that players need agents. Good agents are needed, as these players are talented, young people who need help and guidance.
"A player that is going to enhance a Premier League club is going to be a different kind of player that would enhance a League Two club."
Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney added his thoughts.
"As an FA board member I think we are probably getting reasonably close to introducing some new FA regulations on agents, but we (the Football League) have already done it this summer - our clubs are no longer allowed to pay agents, said Mawhinney.
"It's the player who has to pay the agent. He acts for the player so the player should pay. "My guess is over the next 18 months we'll see the amount of money paid to agents go down because players aren't going to be willing to pay what clubs pay. "I think you are going to see England taking a lead for the whole of Europe in the relationship with agents."
The league is in ongoing talks with the FA, regarding the issue.
"There is going to be a big shift so that only players are going to pay agents," said Scudamore.
The Premier League will not follow in the steps of the Football League by going public with its payments to agents.
The role of football agents has come under examination after accusations of a "bung culture" in the game.
Lord Stevens' investigation into sport's fraud is expected to end by the end of the year.
The Football League has initiated strict rules governing the payment of agents and publishes a list twice a year showing what each of its clubs spends on agents.
Scudamore said publicising the clubs records gives an unfair advantage to its counterparts in Europe, who do not have to reveal payments.
"We are in a very different market. Our clubs need agents more than Football League clubs," said Scudamore, speaking at the FT Sport Industry Summit. "Our clubs argued that players need agents. Good agents are needed, as these players are talented, young people who need help and guidance.
"A player that is going to enhance a Premier League club is going to be a different kind of player that would enhance a League Two club."
Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney added his thoughts.
"As an FA board member I think we are probably getting reasonably close to introducing some new FA regulations on agents, but we (the Football League) have already done it this summer - our clubs are no longer allowed to pay agents, said Mawhinney.
"It's the player who has to pay the agent. He acts for the player so the player should pay. "My guess is over the next 18 months we'll see the amount of money paid to agents go down because players aren't going to be willing to pay what clubs pay. "I think you are going to see England taking a lead for the whole of Europe in the relationship with agents."
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