FIFPro: lawyers and relatives should obtain agent licences

FIFPro has argued to FIFA that licenced lawyers and family members who sign players’ contracts must possess a Players' Agent licence.
 
Today, lawyers and relatives have a special position according to FIFA regulations. FIFPro believes the introduction of a general obligation to obtain a licence will prevent proliferation and make the market transparent.
 
According to article 1, paragraph 2 of the Players’ Agent Regulations, players and clubs are forbidden to make use of non-licenced agents. According to paragraph 3 of the same article, an exception applies to this prohibition for licenced lawyers, parents, brothers or sisters and wives or registered partners who are authorised in writing.
 
It rarely occurs that family members sign a player’s contract. It occurs more frequently that players let themselves be represented by non-licenced agents, who in turn ‘hire’ a lawyer to sign the player’s contract.
 
Sports lawyer Frank ter Huurne from the Dutch solicitor's office of BrantjesGroenVeerman said, ‘We are continually approached by such people who ask if we will sign players’ contracts on their behalf. Although we could earn a lot of money with this, we say no to it. However there are enough lawyers who do accept such an offer.”
 
 ÃƒÆ’¢â‚¬Å“Why should lawyers not have to know the regulations with regards to players’ contracts and transfers?” asked FIFPro board member Mick McGuire. “These regulations are in fact so specific that a good knowledge of them is required. Furthermore you must surely know exactly what you are putting your signature under. The player is always the victim if a contract contains disputable conditions. We are therefore of the opinion that no exception must be made for lawyers.
 
“It can be questioned whether lawyers can be sanctioned in the same manner as licenced agents if the FIFA regulations are contravened. The fact is that they have not signed FIFA’s Code of Professional Conduct.”
 
If a lawyer should be punished, McGuire said the consequences likely are minimal for the non-licenced agents.
 
By implementing a licence for anyone who represents players the market for players’ agents becomes more transparent according to FIFPro.
 
“In this way you know exactly who represents which player and all the non-licenced agents are put out of action,” McGuire said. “This is also good for the reputation of players' agents.”