13 Sep 2018 09:17:12
Hi eds and reds,

Curious as to what opinions are on the rules the premier league has been rumoured to be discussing around agents as detailed in the times?

{Ed002's Note - I don't know what The Times has said but the proposals are rather naive and they are getting above themselves if they are to continue to expect other FAs to follow suit and fit in with handling of agent fees and a couple of the other matters that are on the table. In terms of the issue with agents, they have become obsessed with the extreme examples and have lost sight of the norm. They should be making representation to FIFA via the FA and talking with UEFA.}


1.) 13 Sep 2018
13 Sep 2018 10:56:33
That's very fair. I don't understand enough about the operations of agents to have a proper opinion, but the proposals:-

. Agents should only be played by players, not clubs

. Implementation of exams for agents

. Requirement of an English bank account, which transactions with English based clubs should be processed through

. Annual financial statements to be prepared and sent to the FA

. Agents fees to be paid by the player over the course of the contract as opposed to a lump sum at the beginning

Were reported to have been passed to the FA by the Premier League.
No idea how true this is but it piqued my curiosity.

{Ed002's Note - I'll give it a quick shot:
(1) It is not quite as simple as this statement and does not reflect the work that agents do on behalf of clubs as well as players - it can only happen in part for non transfer related business. Some players rely very heavily on their agents on a day-by-day basis - others rarely have involvement with them - and others don't have agents at all. Many clubs use agents in many different ways - some clubs pay agents for advice of such things as managerial appointments.
(2) This means rejigging the registration process and is nothing to do with the Premier League but the subject is something that FIFA are looking at with significant involvement from UEFA.
(3) Noise and not of any consequence unless the Premier League know of specific issues - which I don't think they do.
(4) Annual statements in terms of transfers are recorded elsewhere already - and the FA has access to those. If the FA are looking for details of what clubs pay agents for other services or what players pay agents for other services it is a different matter - but I cannot see of what particular use it would be to them - and clubs are likely to take objection.
(5) See (1) but it is a business matter that should be the responsibility of the club and agents to work out the timing of payments between themselves - it is not a matter for the PL.

The FA cannot deal with issues such as this and much of it arises from an independent report that was produced. The issue with that report was it obsessed over one particular transfer and did not consider the "norm" as much as it should. They also failed to discuss good progress that has been made in terms of ending agents having part ownership of players, open accounting etc.. If they want to do something useful they could outlaw any business being done with the gutter end of the business where we have the likes of certain "parties" using Deportivo Maldonado to abuse the rules at the expense of the careers of players (Jonathan Calleri is still out on loan, now at Alavés). Or why not work with others to completely clear the game of the exploitation of youngsters so we never need to hear the al Bangura tale again?

Whilst they no doubt feel that they have the right motive, they are way off target in doing anything that would maje a real change.}


2.) 13 Sep 2018
13 Sep 2018 12:33:10
Thank you Ed, that was very informative.


3.) 13 Sep 2018
13 Sep 2018 13:15:07
Can’t add anything to what the expert Ed002 says but fro my own uninformed point of view this is the FA or the premier league trying to shut the stable door long after the pit pony has bolted 🤝.


4.) 13 Sep 2018
13 Sep 2018 13:16:23
Thank you Ed002, always nice to hear about things from people with relevant knowledge.


5.) 13 Sep 2018
13 Sep 2018 15:49:10
Quality information as per usual Ed2, I hope the travelling recently has been treating you well mate.

{Ed002's Note - Thanks - back now.}


6.) 13 Sep 2018
13 Sep 2018 16:16:46
If a player is his own agent how do clubs go about a transfer for that player? or is this the only exception allowed for a club to contact the player directly since he is his own agent?

Hope that makes sense lol?

{Ed002's Note - (a) During negotiations they would be representated by a member of their family or a legal advisor working on a day rate - or very rarely take it all on themselves. (b) No, the club cannot directly approach the player, they would need to go via the club he is registered to.}


7.) 13 Sep 2018
13 Sep 2018 16:28:52
Brilliant thanks ed!

{Ed002's Note - In some countries there is a rule that lawyers must be involved.}