In September, FIFA announced in a shockingly short period plans to control how much percentage agents make in transfer fees. The plans to limit agents of the selling club to a maximum of 10 per cent of the transfer fee has been met with wide criticism From agents.
Leading agents including popular superstars Mino Raiola, Jorge Mendes and Jonathan Barnett have threatened FIFA with legal action over plans for a cap on transfer payments.
In September, FIFA announced plans to limit agents of the selling club to a maximum of 10 per cent of the transfer fee. In addition, FIFA want a 3 per cent cap of the player’s fee and 3 per cent of the player’s fee for agents of the buying club.
“We want fairness,” Barnett countered. “FIFA should recognise us and treat us in a proper manner.”
FIFA are reportedly eager to implement their plans possibly as early as next season. Agent Barnett, who represents high-profile players including Gareth Bale and England goalkeeper Jordan Pickford, added: “The truth is FIFA doesn’t know exactly what an agent does. No one from Fifa has ever been to my office or had a conversation with me. If you ask players what they want, they are in favour of agents. There are never complaints about agents’ fees from players.”
“We will try until the last minute to resolve the problem but rest assured, if necessary we will go to every court in the world” Barnett added.
The agents were among a 200 strong gathering in which the agents plan to take action against FIFA. Raiola and Barnett were part of a smaller meeting beforehand, in which all agents present were said to be united in their opposition to FIFA’s intentions.
“For the first time, we have agreed a united policy in respect of Fifa’s proposals,” said Mel Stein, life president of the Association of Football Agents. “We will be writing to them jointly to advise them that once there is a formal, consultative process in place where all parties can bring their proposals to the table, we will be eager to meet with them. As far as we are concerned, it sends a clean, positive message to Fifa on where we are on this.”
In response to the outburst, FIFA released a statement saying, “We are aiming for a system of balanced and reasonable regulation, instead of the law of the jungle currently in place, with conflicts of interests rife and exorbitant ‘commissions’ being earned left and right. In the last year alone, football agents earned $653.9m (£498.2m) in fees, four times more than in 2015.”
FIFA said it was proposing “sensible, reasonable, rational, proportionate and necessary’ regulations ‘to protect the interests of players and the wider interests of football.”
