Fifa brings back agents exams
World football governing body Fifa has re-introduced players agents’ examinations scrapped in 2015, following an increase of cases of players transfer disputes.
A Fifa press statement said individuals who want to be players’ agents, will have to take a 20-question examination and pay a $600 (about K600 000) agent fee.
The statement reads: “The Fifa Football Agent Regulations [FFAR] were approved by the Fifa Council at its meeting in Doha in December 2022 following a very robust and open consultation from Fifa process carried out by Fifa since 2018 and involving all key international football stakeholders.
“The new regulations introduce basic service standards for football agents and their clients, including a mandatory licensing system, the prohibition of multiple representations to avoid conflicts of interest, and the introduction of a cap on agent fees, all with the objective of reinforcing contractual stability, protecting the integrity of the transfer system and achieving greater financial transparency.”
Before 2015, player agents were undergoing a strenuous exercise which included taking an examination and paying K5 million sureties.
However, in 2015 Fifa removed the examination and surety and introduced integrity check as the only requirement to getting a licence.
Football Association of Malawi compliance manager Casper Jangale said the new regulations also introduce an online platform where the exams will be administered.
He said: “Those who want to become players agents will have to apply individually through the online portal.
“This means that Fifa will administer the exams themselves unlike in the past when we were administering the exams on behalf of Fifa.”
Jangale said Fifa has made it clear that the examinations will be tough as the world football governing body is trying to ensure high standards in player transfers.
He said: “Despite the exam being an open book, they have stressed that it will be tough. Only those who are well versed in football rules and regulations can pass.
“This is in response to the transfer disputes that are mainly due to people who don’t know football having infiltrated the system as agents.”
Current Malawi licenced player agents include James Woods, Felix Ngamanya Sapao, Mwayi Msungama, Jimmy Zakazaka, Yasin Maoni, Bolakunthanzi Sports Management Agency and Lunjika Moyo.
