FIFA eyes transparency with new constraints on football agents

Zurich: Agents for professional soccer players will see their fees capped under new regulations aimed at bringing transparency to the murky business of player transfers, FIFA said on Friday.

FIFA has been working on the proposal for years and announced that the new rules, which also include an exam and publication of client lists, will begin to take effect on Monday.

“The new regulations introduce basic service standards for football agents and their clients, including a mandatory licensing system, the prohibition of multiple representation to avoid conflicts of interest, and the introduction of a cap on agent fees, all with the objective of reinforcing contractual stability, protecting the integrity of the transfer system and achieving greater financial transparency,” FIFA said in a statement.

Agents earned nearly USD 623 million in commissions last year in a 24 per cent increase over 2021, FIFA said in December.

FIFA hopes to limit the excesses of an industry that allowed the late Mino Raiola to earn 27 million euros (USD 29 million) from Juventus from the 105 million euro (USD 111 million) deal that took Paul Pogba to Manchester United in 2016.

Raiola was paid an additional sum by the player and his new club. The France midfielder returned to Juventus last July.