By David Owen
May 12 – FIFA appears to have opted for a tentative approach in its long-running efforts to reform the agent system. An official circular recently sent to FIFA members preparing for next month’s Congress in Sao Paulo seems to indicate that a possible 3% cap on remuneration payable to “intermediaries” would be by recommendation only.
The circular, signed by Jérôme Valcke, FIFA’s secretary general, is dated April 30 and was recently posted on FIFA’s website.
On the subject of payments to intermediaries, the document has this to say:
“In an attempt to provide for an overall rationalisation of fees paid to intermediaries, as a recommendation, the new regulations set a limit on the remuneration payable to intermediaries; 3 percent of the agreed player’s basic gross income (in case of conclusion of an employment contract) or of the transfer compensation (in case of conclusion of a transfer agreement).
It continues:
“A stricter approach has also been incorporated in relation to transactions involving minor players, prohibiting any payments to intermediaries.”
Over the five year-period that the question of reform has been on the table, some have warned that an out-and-out cap might be challenged under European Union competition law.
Member associations will be asked in Sao Paulo to approve pertinent provisions to the FIFA statutes paving the way for new regulations to come into force in April 2015.
FIFA’s ruling Executive Committee approved the new regulations at its meeting in March.
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