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FA approves the new agents rules
England - 06 November, 2006
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The FA announced agents would be prohibited from owning stakes in players as new reforms are introduced.
The new policies were supposed to go into effect on January 1, 2006 and show that tougher policing of agents is needed.
The FA released a 16-point statement detailing the new rules.
Agents were once able to act for players and clubs in the same deal but they will now only be able to act for one party.
All payments to agents must be made by the players they represent and not by the clubs. Direct payment by clubs will be permitted only when money is deducted from the players' salary or benefits.
International agents must register with the FA before representing deals in England.
Agents cannot own a direct or indirect interest in the registration rights of a player.
Although some of the policy changes were expected, the rule on player ownership is a surprise development.
The transfer of Argentines Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to English West Ham showed a leaning for profitable rights of players to be owned by agents, investors and companies, rather than clubs.
The practice is common in South America, where agents own most of the top players.
A registered agent does not own Tevez and Mascherano but they are linked to Kia Joorabchian, the businessman now leading a takeover bid for West Ham.
The FA's new rules are a sign of growing concern regarding player ownership and a new resolve for the FA to get tough.
"These new regulations show the FA's commitment and determination to governing the game. They will provide a major step forward in the regulation of this area and make it absolutely clear what is acceptable for players, clubs and agents," said Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive.
Agents have described the new rules as impracticable.
The Association of Football Agents, who represents around 80 of the 289 registered agents in England, has predicted it will "destroy the industry."
They are particularly upset over the rules that will prevent clubs from paying agents for representing their players, even though the Inland Revenue made it clear that it is the players who are liable.
The rules on dual representation were to go into effect last January but were blocked by Premier League clubs.
The League representatives on the FA board did not object, knowing football needs to get in order financially.
FIFA still needs to ratify the rule on overseas agents.
This ruling will reduce the FA's frustrations in handling disciplinary cases where agents registered abroad are outside the FA's authority.
The new policies were supposed to go into effect on January 1, 2006 and show that tougher policing of agents is needed.
The FA released a 16-point statement detailing the new rules.
Agents were once able to act for players and clubs in the same deal but they will now only be able to act for one party.
All payments to agents must be made by the players they represent and not by the clubs. Direct payment by clubs will be permitted only when money is deducted from the players' salary or benefits.
International agents must register with the FA before representing deals in England.
Agents cannot own a direct or indirect interest in the registration rights of a player.
Although some of the policy changes were expected, the rule on player ownership is a surprise development.
The transfer of Argentines Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to English West Ham showed a leaning for profitable rights of players to be owned by agents, investors and companies, rather than clubs.
The practice is common in South America, where agents own most of the top players.
A registered agent does not own Tevez and Mascherano but they are linked to Kia Joorabchian, the businessman now leading a takeover bid for West Ham.
The FA's new rules are a sign of growing concern regarding player ownership and a new resolve for the FA to get tough.
"These new regulations show the FA's commitment and determination to governing the game. They will provide a major step forward in the regulation of this area and make it absolutely clear what is acceptable for players, clubs and agents," said Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive.
Agents have described the new rules as impracticable.
The Association of Football Agents, who represents around 80 of the 289 registered agents in England, has predicted it will "destroy the industry."
They are particularly upset over the rules that will prevent clubs from paying agents for representing their players, even though the Inland Revenue made it clear that it is the players who are liable.
The rules on dual representation were to go into effect last January but were blocked by Premier League clubs.
The League representatives on the FA board did not object, knowing football needs to get in order financially.
FIFA still needs to ratify the rule on overseas agents.
This ruling will reduce the FA's frustrations in handling disciplinary cases where agents registered abroad are outside the FA's authority.
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