Football agents lose appeal against new FIFA regulations

Football agents have lost their appeal at the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) against new FIFA regulations which will see their transfer commissions capped and introduce exams to secure a licence. 

The Professional Football Agents Association (PROFAA) appealed the FIFA regulations to CAS but following the ruling the proposed rules will go ahead and come into force on 1 October 2023. PROFAA said “PROFAA will carefully examine the ruling before deciding the next steps and will continue to support any and all litigation against these regulations, specifically the introduction of a commission cap.”

3800 agents took the proposed exam in April but only 52% achieved the required mark to pass the test which will become mandatory on 1 October 2023 for agents to be able to hold a license. FIFA will also limit agents to taking a maximum 3% commission for any transfer of more than $200,000 and 5% for deals less than $200,000. There will be a 10% cap on earnings when agents act for the selling club.

In response to the CAS ruling FIFA said “FIFA welcomes today's ruling ... that fully confirms the legality, validity and proportionality of the FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR). The award confirms FIFA's position that the FFAR are a reasonable and proportionate regulatory measure that help to resolve systemic failures in the player transfer system.”