FIFA to cap agent commissions in sweeping amendment to its rules

MANCHESTER, England, Jan 6 (Reuters) – FIFA will apply sweeping changes to the rules next week on how football clubs operate. football Agents, including a cap on transfer fees they receive and the introduction of a test, world soccer’s governing body said on Friday.

Commissions paid by clubs for intermediary services amounted to $622.8 million in 2022, FIFA said last month, marking a 24.3% increase in its commission spending compared to 2021.

After approval of the agreed changes at a meeting of the FIFA Council in Doha, agents can charge a maximum commission of 3% for any transfer over $200,000 and 5% for transactions under $200,000.

Under the new rules, which take effect Monday, agents will also be required to make all transactions public, allowing fans to see how much they are paid for deals.

Other important changes are the introduction of a compulsory licensing system and the prohibition of multiple representation for avoid conflicts of interest.

Individuals wishing to become agents will now have to follow a strict process, which includes the need to pass a FIFA exam, and then pay an annual fee to the governing body.

“This marks a historic step towards establishing a fairer and more transparent player transfer system,” FIFA said in a statement.

“The new regulation introduces basic service standards for soccer agents and their clients, all with the aim of reinforcing contractual stability, protecting the integrity of the transfer system and achieving greater financial transparency.”

Major players have expressed their disapproval of the proposals in the past. Jonathan Barnett, ICM President and Founder Stellar Sports, which represents many elite players, had already threatened legal action if the rule changes took effect. (Reporting by Peter Hall; Editing in Spanish by Ricardo Figueroa)