Plan to get players pay to agents

If leading English Premiere League clubs get their way, players would have to start paying their agents’ fees on transfers instead of clubs, a proposal that would have far-reaching implications for the business side of football.

The plan has been put forward by Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill, and, if implemented, could curtail the skyrocketing costs of transfer fees. For more than 20 years, clubs pay agents on behalf of the players when signing a contract.

This practice has come under scrutiny by taxing authorities and has led to past charges of corruption. However, players might respond to the move by demanding higher wages or signing fees to offset the price of paying their agents.