In conversations about football, the topics of money, commerce, and contracts are involuntarily addressed. Who provides a stable future for athletes? Such people are called agents. They play the role of accountants, diplomats, lawyers, while trying to stay in the background. Who are these mysterious personalities? How to become a football agent?
Introduction to the profession
The first agents in football appeared in the West in the 70s of the XX century. By signing a contract with an athlete, they took responsibility for his finances and career. Of course, how good the results will be depends on
professional competence and honesty. To support a high level of specialists in this field, FIFA formed the Institute of Football Agents. Here they pass exams for aptitude, knowledge of foreign languages, jurisprudence. Usually, the players are former football players who are well aware of the activities of team sports and the features of communication with existing players.
An institute for similar specialists also works in Russia, after which they receive an RFU certificate. The license of a football agent gives the right to work not only in one’s own country, but also in other states, and also ensures transparency of actions. Currently, professionals in this field who graduated in the Russian Federation, there are about 150 people. Representing the interests of athletes can not only specialists, but also their relatives. So, the affairs of the famous football player Ronaldinho are his brother, and the Riise brothers - their mother Berit Riise.
Features of the specialty in Russia
In our country, this profession appeared in the early 90s of the twentieth century. Non-professionals also began working with licensed agents, who often deceived their customers for their own benefit. The first organization in Russia, which had the right to sell our athletes abroad, was Sovintersport. Unfortunately, most of the wages went to the state, so the players and hockey players received little money. So, for the defender of the USSR national team Vagiz Khidiyatullin who left for France, the country received 29 thousand monthly from his salary of 30 thousand dollars.
The pioneering agent in our country was Konstantin Sarsaniya. The former footballer still remains on the list of the International Football Federation. He is currently working as a trainer. Also, professional agents from a number of former footballers are V. Panchenko, D. Gradilenko, A. Novgorodov.
Rules for obtaining a license
How to become a football agent? Who has the right to call himself a specialist in this field? To get such a position, you must:
- have the citizenship of the country where the license is requested;
- not to be a violator of the law;
- successfully pass the special FIFA test.
The fee for the exam is set by the football federation of the country where the testing takes place. It ranges from 100 to 1000 euros. Two attempts to pass the test are allowed per year.
After observing all conditions and obtaining a license, the agent must pay FIFA for the right to work with clients from 1000 to 10,000 euros. Also, the local football federation presents its conditions.
License Exam
Before the future agent goes for testing, he needs to make a contribution in the amount of 100 thousand rubles. This money goes towards covering the costs of organizing and implementing the exam. The fee is not refundable. The day before testing is usually a one-day workshop. For all questions of the exam, you should contact the legal department of the Russian Football Union. A number of documents must be provided to this unit.
The exam includes twenty multiple-choice questions. The test is based on the following materials:
- The FIFA Charter, which was adopted in 2012.
- Charter for the application of the FIFA Charter.
- FIFA regulations on the status and transitions of players.
- Rules on the status and transitions of players.
- FIFA Footballers Agent Regulations.
- Rules governing the procedures of the Players Status Committee and the Dispute Resolution Chamber.
- FIFA Disciplinary Code.
Questions from the International Federation of Football Associations come in English, which is translated by the international department of the Russian Football Union.
Features of obtaining a license in our country
How to become a football agent in the Russian Federation? To do this, contact the appropriate organization. The RFU gives the right to obtain a professional certificate when providing
certificates from a neuropsychiatric dispensary, to the police, which indicate that the future agent does not suffer from mental illness and does not have a criminal record. You also need to buy an insurance policy, the price of which is 100 thousand Swiss francs. Money is insurance in cases of litigation. Next, you need to make a statement of readiness to comply with the code of honor.
Here's how to become a football agent! But are there enough documents provided? A prerequisite, as already mentioned, is the successful passing of a special exam. It is accepted by a commission of seven people. It includes representatives of the Professional Football League, the RFU Legal Committee, and the Russian Football Premier League.
How to find a football agent?
What actions should be taken to find a good specialist? First, you need to contact the association of football agents. Here you can choose the right option and draw up a contract. Secondly, remember that a professional agent should take responsibility in resolving legal issues, in working with employment contracts, and act as a consultant, intermediary in the client’s transfer and sports activities. Thirdly, one should carefully consider the education of a specialist and work experience.
Agent remuneration is not more than 10 percent of the player’s income. If the athlete is under 16 years old, then the rate is reduced to 3 percent. The specialist assumes the costs of flights and organizing meetings with representatives of football clubs.
Agencies
To get an answer to the question of how to find a football agent, you can contact the association, which unites all licensed football specialists of the RFU. It was created in 2004. The aim of the AFA is the cooperation of agents, the development of football, as well as the football industry in the Russian Federation. The Association of Football Agents facilitates the interaction of agents with the International Federation of Football Associations, the Russian Football Union, the European Football Union, and the Russian Football Premier League. The Association of Football Agents includes A. Minasov, A. Zotov, S. Bazanov, O. Eremin, A. Tolstikov, A. Manyakov, O. Malezhik.
Football agents of Moscow and other cities of Russia
One of the most influential specialists in this field is Oleg Artyomov. His clients were A. Arshavin, P. Pogrebnyak, R. Pavlyuchenko and others. The agent received a license in 2004. In Moscow, O. Artemov works in the German agency Dr. Oliver Wendt & Tomas Zorn.
The football agent of D. Sychev, I. Denisov, V. Bystrov is Pavel Andreev. The specialist collaborates with the Zenit club.
In 2005, another well-known agent German Tkachenko founded the company ProSports Management. Previously, he led the Samara club Wings. Then he became a representative of D. Kolodin, S. Leilton, A. Tikhonov. The specialist is promoting the Anji brand, which is on the board of directors.
Agency "SA", created by Alexei Safonov, focuses mainly on young players. He is a partner of the Chertanovo school. The agency’s list of clients includes Artem Dziuba, Sergey Ryzhikov, Vladimir Granat, Alexey Medvedev and others.
Another well-known football organization ASA International, headed by Arsen Minasov, works with such clients as K. Zyryanov, V. Kulik, R. Shirokov, O. Vukoevich. The company is known in the international market, cooperates with Croatian players.
Professionals in the CIS countries
How to become a football agent in Ukraine? First you need to have 8 thousand hryvnias in your account and numerous connections in football teams. In March and September of each year, exams are held to obtain a license. For admission to the examination of knowledge, the following documents must be submitted to the Committee on Status and Transfers:
- two types of passport: foreign and civil;
- identification code;
- work book;
- diploma of education;
- statement with an autobiography;
- certificate of residence;
- extracts from neuropsychiatric and narcological dispensaries;
- certificate from the Ministry of Internal Affairs;
- cash contribution.
Candidates are checked for knowledge of the FIFA charter and regulations on the status and transfers of football players, FIFA regulations on the activities of agents, FFU regulations on the work of agents. The license obtained is valid for five years and has international status.
A prerequisite for working as a football agent is the purchase of insurance. Its cost is about 10,350 hryvnia, and it is used only in case of litigation. The specialist also provides annual insurance of his activities in the amount of 100 thousand Swiss francs.
Football agency in the Republic of Belarus
The conditions for obtaining a license in this country are the same as in other states. The agent must pass the exam. Of the twenty test questions, fifteen include topics on FIFA regulations, and five on ABFF requirements. Persons with higher education receive admission to the exam. A prospective agent must provide a criminal record certificate and proof of mental health. After the exam, the candidate enters into a liability insurance contract and signs a code of professional conduct.
Speaking about how to become a football agent in Belarus, it should be noted that relatives of athletes can also learn this profession, but they must be registered with the Association of the Belarusian Football Federation.
Unlicensed agents
When you need a football agent, and the athlete does not have large amounts, you have to turn to illegal specialists. Various people are involved in informal business in our country, for example, club leaders, employees from sports departments and others. The regulation on the status and transition of Russian football union players provides for sanctions against both clubs working with unlicensed agents and the players themselves who have entered into agreements with them. For the latter, the punishment usually looks like a warning, a fine of 250 thousand rubles, or disqualification for up to 12 months. As for the clubs, the penalty for cooperation with an unlicensed agent is already 1 million rubles, it is also possible to transfer the organization to the lower division, score points, a ban on transfers for a certain period. Any transactions made in this case are canceled.
Despite serious sanctions, football players and clubs continue to use the services of “bugs” (so-called agents without licenses). Why? Firstly, for such employees, payment for services is lower than for professionals with a certificate. Secondly, with the help of a “bug”, a club can get rid of an unwanted football player to their advantage. There are other reasons.
Features of the activity
The question of how to become a football agent in Moscow is very relevant today. A novice specialist must follow a number of rules that, if successfully implemented, can lead to the desired result.
1. At first, it is better to have one or two clients with whom you must always maintain personal contact.
2. Try to attend all football events where you need to make useful contacts.
3. Learn foreign languages.
4. Define the field of their activities.
5. Negotiate fairly.
6. Do not count on the quick receipt of big money.
7. Try to travel a lot to watch as many players as possible at work.
8. It is advisable to acquire intermediaries.
9. Show attention to the client.
10. Maintain good relations with reporters.
Conclusion
So, now you know how to become a football agent in Russia. To do this, you need to have a certain amount in the account, not have problems with the law, to have good mental health. Mandatory higher education, especially legal or economic. And most importantly, what is required is to be able to communicate with people, strengthen ties and have oratorical abilities.