It may seem a welcome development for FIFA to
finally lay to rest today, the most controversial persona in the football
business – Licensed Player Agent.
The Licensed Agents had been accused of many things.
Agents are most commonly seen in the media spotlight during high-profile
transfers and contract negotiations. As a result, public perceptions are far
from favorable. To managers and club chairmen, agents can appear as obdurate
negotiators intent on exorbitant deals for their clients – and the commissions
that accompany them. Among fans, they are often seen as manipulative and
cynical, loyal only to themselves, and capable of convincing players to abandon
clubs against their best interests.
There are lots of cases brought against Agents and
their players at the FIFA court of Arbitration and its all bad image for the
profession.
Some years ago, the football governing body tried to
distance itself from these notorious personals by asking football Associations
to license Agents from their own country – “it shall no more be known as ‘FIFA
Licensed Player Agent’ rather ‘Player Agent Licensed by Nigeria Football
Federation,' in the case of Agents from Nigeria.
Last year, I think,
FIFA came up with a new regulation to replace Agents with what it called ‘Intermediary.’
Trying to deregulate as well as control the excesses of the player
representation process.
With effect from today, 1st April 2015, any natural or legal person (i.e.
including a company) can act as an Intermediary and represent football players
or clubs in contract or transfer negotiations; he doesn’t need license.
However, National Associations must register Intermediaries
involved in transactions. It must be satisfied that the Intermediary has an
“impeccable reputation” and not a conflict of interest.
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| FIFA Licensed Player Agent: Emelogu Obinna |
In order to be so satisfied they just need to have a form
signed by the Intermediary certifying that he has not had a criminal record
imposed upon him for “financial or violent crime”, he has no relationship with
other associations that give him a conflict of interest, and he shall abide by
the Regulations and the other various relevant rules.
Well, it is FIFA’s April fool to make you think that
Licensed Agents are gone forever. For me, they only changed their designation.
As long as FIFA could not sweep the functions of Agents under the carpet, then
Agents are very much alive. We all know how vital it is for a player to have a
representation in contract negotiations. Of course, the knowledge, skills and
experience of Licensed Agents cannot be thrown overboard.
It may look like player representation will be for all
comers, but it would still be the experienced Agents that will go on to wear
the clothing of Intermediaries; I don’t see the difference any way. All they
need do is to remodel their business to accommodate the new regulations or what
do you think.
