FIFA Agent: Main functions and New Regulations

FIFA is soccer's international governing body, and one of its most important elements is a FIFA agent. In today's article, we'll discuss the agents' main functions.

A FIFA agent is the person who, by collecting fees, acts as an intermediary between soccer clubs, or players, when it’s time to negotiate contracts.

FIFA’s statutes manage the agents’ activities, and it recently presented new changes to the regulations that are in force as of 2020. The representatives must operate under the terms of the current regulations, as well as those corresponding to the several different federations.

Who can become a FIFA agent?

Those who want to represent soccer players must be licensed by the corresponding association for the activity. However, there are exceptions for players’ parents, siblings, and spouses, who have the right to negotiate contracts. Finally, lawyers authorized by the country’s law can discuss contracts as well.

Main FIFA agent: functions

All functions of the intermediary must comply with the regulations, statutes, and directions of the competent FIFA bodies. Also, an agent’s tasks must adhere to the association regulations and the labor hiring laws of each country. That said, an agent’s main functions are:

• Presenting a soccer player to a club in order to negotiate an employment contract.
• Carrying out the renegotiations of contracts between players and clubs.
• Intermediating between two clubs to carry out a transfer within an association or between associations.

The representation contract is an essential requirement for the FIFA agent to operate legally. When the represented person is a minor, the signature of the player’s legal representative must be present. In addition, the contract must also include the personal data of both parties, the duration, and the fees.

Regulation for player intermediaries

The statute clearly states the conditions for a person to get the license that enables them to become a FIFA agent. Access is through an application in which the candidate presents the requested documentation.

In addition, future agents must take and pass a written exam, which tests the applicant’s knowledge of the field. Said exam consists of 20 questions on soccer-related rules, and includes others on civil law, rights, and duties.

Another condition established by FIFA is that the agent must have professional liability insurance. This document must cover all risks associated with the activity, both during and at the end of it. As an alternative to the insurance, the intermediary may choose a bank guarantee at a Swiss bank.

The representation contract can last a maximum of two years. In the case of renewal of the contract, the agent must issue a new one with an estimated duration, but it’s not immediately put into force.

The new contract establishes who pays and how much, but players have the possibility to authorize the club to pay on their behalf.

FIFA agent: license renewal and suspension

According to the statutes, the license expires after five years of issuance. In that case, the agent will have to submit a new application and undergo the exam again. If they don’t do this, the license is automatically suspended upon expiration.

An agent’s license might also be suspended if they no longer comply with the established previous conditions, if they are sanctioned, or if they decide to step down as an agent. In the latter case, agents must notify the respective associations.

Latest changes to the regulations of FIFA agents

New developments regarding changes in the FIFA statute, directly affect FIFA agents and their representation fees.

As of 2020, an agent can charge only one out of the three possible contract parties, and the percentage varies, depending on who pays:

• Selling club: 10 percent
• The player: 3 percent
• Buying club: 3 percent

In addition to the maximum amount being regulated, it’s also stipulated that the payment is made through the FIFA Clearing House. In this new modification, clubs face more restrictions in terms of player loans, as well as an increase in the payment that the training staff receives.