Skip to main contentAccess keys helpA-Z index

[an error occurred while processing this directive]
watch listenBBC SportBBC Sport
Low graphics|Help
---------------
---------------
CHOOSE A SPORT
 
RELATED BBC SITES
Last Updated: Thursday, 2 November 2006, 19:32 GMT
FA agrees new agent regulations
By Andrew McKenzie

Premier League chief Richard Scudamore
Scudamore has held talks with the FA over new regulations on agents
The Football Association agreed new regulations concerning agents at a board meeting on Thursday.

The measures will be introduced in time for the January transfer window, subject to FA Council approval.

They include a ban on dual representation, whereby an agent acts for both parties in a deal.

"These rules provide us with a robust framework to bring disciplinary action when there is evidence of wrongdoing," said FA chief executive Brian Barwick.

Clubs will now not be able pay agents directly - instead payment will be deducted from a player's salary.

And overseas agents will be required to register with the FA when involved in a transaction in England, thereby giving the FA jurisdiction over them.

These new regulations show the FA's commitment and determination to governing the game

FA chief executive Brian Barwick

Premier League chief Richard Scudamore had warned of the new measures at the FT Sport Industry Summit on Wednesday.

"There is going to be a big shift so that only players are going to pay agents," said Scudamore.

But the Premier League will not be following the Football League's lead in making public their payments to agents.

The role of agents in football has come under huge scrutiny following accusations of a "bung culture" in the game, with Lord Stevens' inquiry into corruption in the sport expected before the end of the year.

The Football League has taken its own stance by introducing strict rules governing the payment of agents.

606: DEBATE
footy_analysis
Twice a year the Football League publishes a list of what each of its clubs spends on agents, in an effort to improve transparency in the game.

But Scudamore says its clubs feel that making such records public would give an unfair advantage to their counterparts in Europe who do not have to reveal such payments.

He added: "We are in a very different market. Our clubs need agents more than Football League clubs.

"Our clubs argued that players need agents. Good agents are needed as these players are talented, young people who need help and guidance.

"A player that is going to enhance a Premier League club is going to be different kind of player that would enhance a League Two club.

"When you are dealing at that high end agents are necessary.

I think you are going to see England taking a lead for the whole of Europe in the relationship with agents

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney

"Agents know where the talent is and the likely cost of what that talent would be.

"But because of our commercial success our clubs have got to the point where we are big enough and bold enough to say only players will pay agents.

"We decided this at our summer meeting but rather than introduce this as league rules lets ask the FA - who we have been working for a couple of years on this - to bring that into their rules so it applies to the whole of English football.

"But our clubs' view, rightly or wrongly, is that there is a cost to acquiring talent at our level of football. There are three levels: there is the transfer fee, the agent fee and the contract.

"The amount which goes in as a transfer fee, an agent fee or wages is part of our competitive advantage over other clubs and they don't want the individual elements displayed.

"That is not the same thing as being transparent to the football authorities.

"Where we absolutely agree with transparency is that every single piece of money that moves within that contract is made transparent to the football authorities - the FA and Premier League - so we can see where the money is going."

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney added: "The role of agents in football has been highly controversial for a long time.

"There are rules and regulations but it has been largely unregulated in reality for a long time.

"As an FA board member I think we are probably getting reasonably close to introducing some new FA regulations on agents, but we (the Football League) have already done it this summer - our clubs are no longer allowed to pay agents.

"It's the player who has to pay the agent. He acts for the player so the player should to pay.

"My guess is over the next 18 months well see the amount of money paid to agents go down because players aren't not going to be willing to pay what clubs pay.

"I think what we did has helped to enhance the debate which will hopefully make it easier for the FA to put its regulations through.

"I think you are going to see England taking a lead for the whole of Europe in the relationship with agents."



SEE ALSO
Burning issues
31 Jul 06 |  Football
Bung inquiry targets 39 transfers
02 Oct 06 |  Premiership
BBC & FA hold bung evidence talks
25 Sep 06 |  Football
Scudamore announces bung inquiry
24 Jan 06 |  Football
Newell told to give bung evidence
12 Jan 06 |  Luton Town


RELATED BBC LINKS:

RELATED INTERNET LINKS:
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites


BBC PRODUCTS AND SERVICES
Daily and weekly e-mails | Mobiles | Desktop Tools | News Feeds | Interactive Television | Downloads
Sport Homepage | Football | Cricket | Rugby Union | Rugby League | Tennis | Golf | Motorsport | Boxing | Athletics | Snooker | Horse Racing | Cycling | Disability sport | Olympics 2012 | Sport Relief | Other sport...

Help | Privacy & Cookies Policy | News sources | About the BBC | Contact us