Football's top agents have threatened legal action against FIFA over plans to cap their fees for transfers.
Sky Sports News' chief reporter Bryan Swanson spoke to some of the game's most powerful representatives after a meeting of the Association of Football Agents [AFA] at Barnet's stadium, The Hive.
What's the issue?
Last year, FIFA announced plans to limit agents of the selling club to a maximum of 10 per cent of the transfer fee and a 3 perc ent cap of the player's fee.
It has led to a furious response from some of the game's most influential representatives, who want FIFA to hold more talks with them before their proposals are turned into regulations.
Mel Stein, AFA life president, says: "We're going to be writing to FIFA and, once there is a formal consultative process in place, where all parties can bring their proposals to the table, we will be eager to meet with them."
How are agents feeling?
Extremely irritated, to put it mildly.
"We want fairness," explained Jonathan Barnett, who represents players including Gareth Bale, Luke Shaw and Jordan Pickford. "We act for players, we don't act for FIFA. People at FIFA just think they know what agents do, when they don't have a clue. They don't consult properly, and they don't engage with us in a meaningful way."
Mino Raiola, who represents players including Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Paul Pogba, Moise Kean and Erling Haaland, told Sky Sports News: "This was a very important meeting. If you look at the history of the world, justice always wins. We will win."
Don't agents get paid enough?
FIFA say agents earned nearly £500m [$653m] in fees last year, four times more than in 2015. But representatives say the figure is missing the point.
They believe it is unfair to introduce a cap, as it does not happen elsewhere in the game or other industries.
"I don't think intelligent supporters think that (agents receive enough money)," says Raiola. "I think that, maybe, intelligent supporters also understand that there is a media war against agents.
"Why attack agents? FIFA is raising their ticket money every year. Why does FIFA want all their transfer monies in the FIFA bank? This is only about power. They have to get some victories."
Will agents really take FIFA to court?
Yes and, potentially, at multiple courts around the world.
"I don't think FIFA are willing to talk," says Barnett. "But I'm in the minority. We would love to talk to them. We will try everything with FIFA but, if necessary, we will go to every court in the land, from around the world."
How has FIFA responded?
Robustly. They will point to several consultation meetings, including a task force discussion in August 2018 at FIFA HQ in Zurich, attended by agents including Barnett, Rob Jansen and Dr Erkut Sogut.
FIFA says its proposals will "improve transparency, protect player welfare, enhance contractual stability and raise professional and ethical standards. In other words, to eliminate or at least reduce the abusive and excessive practices which unfortunately have existed in football."
Constantine15810
2
that is a nice joke, raiola speaking about fairness just like a prostitute speak about honor. raiola and the likes of him started this affecting other normal middle class agents in the process, even tho it is neccessary i feel it might not be fair for the middle and low class agents that will be effect badly by that, I think a maximum amount of money cap can be better than a percentage cap
DaggyAG
2
Agents are like bicycle pumps inflating the unnecessary transfer prices of football players and the cost will be eventually be felt by the paying fans. They needed to be regulated many years ago!
Hawmnprt
1
Hate this so called agents. There shouldn't be third party involved. sometimes they think they can do whatever they wish, as they like. they should know that they are just a fucktard living off of someones talent. they totally ruined it.
johbckmrs
1
i think Agents are overly paid and greedy. They are ruining the game. players are paid well, Agents make use of players to fill their own pockets which is ridiculous
ChelseaFCfan
3
mayb I'm just not an "intelligent supporter" but, i feel that agents shouldn't have to power to hold clubs and players to ransom over more money, if a club want a player, and, the player wants to go, it's just the agents job to facilitate the wishes of the client, not threaten to take your player elsewhere or put the move at risk asking for to much and dragging things out, there should be a standard facilitation fee all round, and if u feel its no longer 'profitable' to be a football agent, then good bye, players need to get back to playing for the badge and leaving it all on the pitch, and taking some power away from agents, i feel, will help with that
coedlmyz
0
Hussannoor. see.place.kicanotby
Juoacmt
1
Think both there’s and football in general should look at the whole pay structure it’s obscene
Limc2
2
The agents are killing the game, asking for two much money and making the players they represent play under pressure. for example Pepe and Felix
Medalno
4
The amount agents collect for deals needs to be cut down,, FIFA don't want agents to collect extra bonuses but themselves (FIFA) are corrupt so I really wonder why they are interfering into agents dealings
kobnopz
3
football is not a business... it's passion that makes this game beautiful. it should not be mixed with money. today's football is more of a business oriented ventures which is slowly degrading the game.
kobnopz
3
yes they should be capped else they are becoming a nuisance to this beautiful game
simbdelm
2
totally agree with FIFA
pat192
3
I know greedy Raiola wouldn't like this. But it's not fair to put a cap on their earnings, I don't support that. If an agent can hold out a deal to get as much as they can, then they should. Negotiations are some of the reasons why clubs employ Technical directors and Director of football.