FIFA Must Think Outside The Box' To Control Transfer Fees
The Independent|December 15, 2023
It was another of those off-field moments that didn’t receive too much attention at the time, but will profoundly influence the game for years. The January transfer window will certainly be affected.
MIGUEL DELANEY
FIFA Must Think Outside The Box' To Control Transfer Fees

On 30 November, an Arbitral Tribunal in the United Kingdom ruled that Fifa would not be able to impose a cap on agent commissions for football transfers in the territory. The decision immediately freed the various agencies to start consulting with clubs on January plans knowing what budgets they could work within, and have forced the global governing body “back to the drawing board”.

Potential alternatives, like limiting the number of possible transfers, strengthening homegrown player rules to spread talent and even salary caps have since been floated but all ideas are naturally at a very early stage. Fifa would argue this reflects how the impetus behind the agent reforms was simply to control transfer spending to improve competitive balance in the sport. In other words, to ensure it is less dictated by money and more teams stand a chance of winning.

The logic behind that was that the current agent industry incentivises transfer money, which further concentrates talent at the wealthiest clubs, increasing financial disparity. One of the examples put forward is that, if Erling Haaland or Kylian Mbappe were to move, the agent fees would cost £50m. Only five clubs in the world could feasibly afford that. That, they argued, is why caps on commissions are essential. Fifa have since released figures that show a 42.5 per cent increase in agent service fees from 2022 to 2023, at $888.1m, with the commissions surpassing $1m in the women’s game for the first time.

Denne historien er fra December 15, 2023-utgaven av The Independent.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra December 15, 2023-utgaven av The Independent.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA THE INDEPENDENTSe alt
Fierce rivalry in best British flyweight fight for decades
The Independent

Fierce rivalry in best British flyweight fight for decades

This time last year, Sunny Edwards was on his way to the USA for a unification world title fight, and Galal Yafai was a five-fight novice.

time-read
3 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Wiegman faces twin issues in tactical battle with Hayes
The Independent

Wiegman faces twin issues in tactical battle with Hayes

Sarina Wiegman had already highlighted where England need to improve long before Emma Hayes and the United States landed in London ahead of today's marquee clash at Wembley.

time-read
4 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Crisis at City has shades of Mourinho's Bridge too far
The Independent

Crisis at City has shades of Mourinho's Bridge too far

For all the comments on Pep Guardiola's scratches, some senior figures in football were a bit shocked by the image.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Our favourite brands are at risk from changing demand
The Independent

Our favourite brands are at risk from changing demand

Constantly evolving consumer habits are threatening even the biggest names - factor in a competitive marketplace and rising overheads, and they're goners, says Chris Blackhurst

time-read
4 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Insurgents fighting Assad's Syrian regime enter Aleppo
The Independent

Insurgents fighting Assad's Syrian regime enter Aleppo

Surprise offensive is first time city is attacked since 2016

time-read
2 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Macron praises those who helped rebuild Notre-Dame
The Independent

Macron praises those who helped rebuild Notre-Dame

President visits cathedral as it prepares to reopen next week

time-read
2 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Three main Irish parties set for election photo finish
The Independent

Three main Irish parties set for election photo finish

Sinn Fein, Fine Gael and Fianna Fail are virtually neck-and-neck in terms of first preference votes in the Irish general election, according to an exit poll last night.

time-read
5 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Ukraine could cede land for peace deal, says Zelensky
The Independent

Ukraine could cede land for peace deal, says Zelensky

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has suggested he would temporarily cede Ukrainian territory to Russia in exchange for joining Nato.

time-read
1 min  |
November 30, 2024
Russia suffers record 2,000 losses in one day, says Kyiv
The Independent

Russia suffers record 2,000 losses in one day, says Kyiv

Claims of unprecedented military casualties for Moscow come as Putin’s forces make advances in eastern Ukraine

time-read
3 mins  |
November 30, 2024
Police name mother killed in hit-and-run e-bike crash
The Independent

Police name mother killed in hit-and-run e-bike crash

A young mother who was killed after she was knocked off an ebike in a hit-and-run crash has been named.

time-read
2 mins  |
November 30, 2024