Thursday’s Deloitte report on the finances of English soccer also revealed the vast amount clubs pay agents for player transactions. Last year, English clubs paid agents nearly $100 million in commissions, up approximately $20 million from the previous year. Upon reading the report, FIFA President Sepp Blatter called agents’ compensation-which can be over 10 percent-“immoral,” demanding tighter regulation. He suggested that agent fees should be capped at three percent.
“Generally what is wrong is that players’ agents are asking for commission from the club and there are situations where they get it from both clubs,” Blatter said. “Here we need some discipline.” As such, FIFA is introducing a proposal to completely change the compensation scheme: “It’s not a good idea for football if the agents are taking too much money out of football and if players’ agents are paid by different parties. Players’ agents must be paid by players,” Blatter said. A FIFA executive committee will discuss the matter at a meeting in Durban, South Africa, in November. If passed, the measure could be implemented at the beginning of next year.