FIFA welcomes European Court of Justice decision on regulation of football agents

The European Court of Justice raised doubts about the legality of some rules set by FIFA regarding player agents.

The court said on Thursday that a rule preventing agents from contacting a player or coach bound by an exclusive representation agreement outside a specified time frame 'may conflict with the ban on anti-competitive agreements' because it would grant other agents already bound by an exclusive representation agreement, who can sign contracts outside that time frame, an undue advantage.

However, the judges in Strasbourg affirmed that the final decision remains with the competent court on such matters.

The company 'RRC' had filed a lawsuit against some FIFA regulations before a district court in Mainz, Germany, which in turn asked the European Court of Justice for a ruling.

The challenged rules included those regarding multiple representation, agents' fees, obtaining a license from FIFA, and transferring certain data to FIFA.

The European Court of Justice declared that FIFA's rules limiting multiple representation and agent licensing rules constitute obstacles to this fundamental freedom.

For its part, FIFA welcomed on Thursday the ruling issued by the European Court of Justice regarding the rules regulating the work of football agents.

FIFA stressed that this ruling 'represents strong support for the regulatory elements of the game's partners and confirmation of its legal and legislative authority in regulating these activities.'

The international federation expressed its great satisfaction with the European Court of Justice's confirmation of the legality of the essential provisions in the regulation, foremost among them the imposition of mandatory licenses for agents, setting a cap on service fees, banning multiple representation, and applying the principle of client bearing costs and proportional payment.

Emilio García Silvero, FIFA's Chief Legal and Compliance Officer, explained that FIFA is satisfied with the court's recognition of its assessment of the risks associated with agents' activities and its support for the basic rules, noting that the regulation is a necessary step to modernize the global transfer system and ensure transparency and contractual stability.

Silvero added that the federation will continue to study the details of the ruling and its practical implications carefully, while planning to invite representatives of agents for a joint meeting in the coming weeks to reach consensual solutions.