BBC SPORT | Football | League wants clampdown on agents

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Last Updated: Thursday, 21 July, 2005, 10:04 GMT 11:04 UK

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League wants clampdown on agents

The �7.8m spent by the League clubs on agents represents nearly a third of the �25m TV money earned in a year

The Championship accounted for �6.8m, League One �595,870 and League Two �325,020

Leeds were the biggest spenders - paying �1.9m on fees

Thirteen clubs paid nothing to agents - Crewe were the only Championship club to do so

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney has called for urgent regulations governing agents after it was revealed clubs handed about �7.8m last season.

The League said it is concerned with how much money is leaving the game after releasing its Agents' Fees Report for the 2004-2005 season.

Lord Mawhinney said: "Too much money is leaving through payments to agents."

"Clubs have made it clear they want a stronger regulatory framework governing how agents operate."

Lord Mawhinney has written to the Football Association urging them to implement a regulatory system.

He has called for:

Agents to be paid only by the player, unless the club specifically commission an agent to work on their behalf

Agents work for only one employer in a transaction

But Lord Mawhinney believes a number of Premier League clubs are against such a structure being implemented and feels that may affect the FA's decision to take up his request.

If that proves to be the case, the Football League has threatened to take matters into their own hands.