FIFA to reform rules on soccer players’ agents

Date: 15/06/2000

By Peter Chapman

THE European Commission looks set to drop its threat to take anti-trust action against football's world governing body, FIFA, over its rules governing players' agents.

The move comes after the body tabled proposals to change its regime in response to Competition Commissioner Mario Monti's warnings that the existing rules were anti-competitive and prevented many people with the necessary skills from offering agency services to soccer players.

A Commission official said this week that FIFA was now "addressing problems" highlighted by Monti. "They sent in some proposals, which we are discussing. All I can say is that they are very well orientated," she said, adding: "They know exactly what our grievances are with the present system."

Although the official refused to give details of the new rules promised by FIFA, insisting the Commission's formal response had not been finalised,they are certain to address the three main problems which Monti identified with the current system: the ban on players and clubs using the services of unlicensed players' agents, punishable with fines; the ban on firms or societies obtaining licences; and, worst of all, the €120,800 non-refundable bank guarantee which all would-be agents have to pay up front.

Monti said he recognised that FIFA wanted to prevent cowboy operators from acting on players' behalf in negotiations with clubs on transfers, wages and conditions. But he echoed the concerns of critics who say the rules effectively shut out many well-qualified candidates and do little to stop the cowboys operating behind the scenes, often working via authorised agents.

FIFA figures show that the number of authorised agents has remained relatively low, even in hotbeds of European soccer activity. England tops the league with 81, followed by 57 in Spain, while Germany has just 51 agents and Italy only 48.

The European Commission looks set to drop its threat to take anti-trust action against football's world governing body, FIFA, over its rules governing players' agents.