European Football Agents Association Wants to End Malpractice in the (International) Transfer of Players

The number of players' agents has grown explosively since the Bosman case. The huge circulation of money and players' ever-increasing wages can mean it is a simple step to accuse agents of being involved in malpractice and criminal activities. The recently established European Football Agents Association believes that the current system of regulation does not halt transfer-related problems. The participation of players' agents in regulating their profession is a prerequisite for avoiding unprofessional conduct. The definitive emancipation of footballers came about in the wake of the Bosman case. The activities of players' agents were augmented in direct relation to the players' renewed status. The considerable circulation of money in the international football world, and more specifically the players' wages, led to players' agents being linked to malpractice. Various reports and the media portray players' agents as questionable individuals involved in trafficking young players, money laundering, corruption and other serious criminal activities. World football's governing body FIFA announced it would curb such activities, issuing regulations governing the activities of players' agents. The third version of these regulations came into force on 1 January 2008.