FIFA abolishes player agent licence

Under the FIFA statutes applicable hitherto, the exercise of the profession as a player agent or intermediary of a footballer required either the completion of a theoretical player agent examination or admission as a lawyer. This is now to change.

Obtaining a FIFA licence as a player agent was hitherto a costly undertaking which has deterred a whole range of professionals but also laypeople from negotiating on behalf of a footballer regarding his transfer or other matters with his club.

The training and syllabus conducted by the German Football Association (DFB) encompasses almost the entire regulatory framework of the FIFA, the DFB and the league association.

As, amongst others, the online portal Focus Online reports with reference to the reporting of the sports news service "Sport Bild", the world association FIFA has decided to abolish the licence for player agents no later than April 2015.

This decision is criticised by the Association of Player Agents in Germany (DFVV). It considers it irresponsible to abolish the minimum standards established by the applicable regulations and thus to enable any layperson to manage the career of a footballer.

Conclusion

Given the increasingly complex and international factual situations to be handled by player agents, FIFA's decision is surprising. The contractual matters arising alone in the course of client representation, such as for example player contracts, sponsorship contracts and licensing agreements, require specialised advice. When selecting his adviser, the player should therefore ensure that this person has the appropriate knowledge or at least can demonstrate cooperations, for example with specialised lawyers.