AIFF to have new regulations for player agents, 12 answer FIFA exam

Panaji: Football agents in India and elsewhere are in danger of being left out of the business, unless they clear the FIFA exam with a pass score of 75 per cent.
The exam is part of FIFA’s plan to overhaul the business, which, it feels, is harming the transfer system. The governing body for world football wants tighter controls and a cap on agency fees.
Ten player representatives from India and two foreigners answered the hour-long exam at the Football House in Delhi on Wednesday.
“Twenty two agents had registered to answer the exam, but only 12 answered,” said AIFF secretary general Shaji Prabhakaran. “After analysing the transfer market and the (player) agency involvement, FIFA came to a conclusion that it needs to be regulated to create better value and a level playing field. Every country will have its own regulations. We are in discussion with FIFA to prepare our own.”
The last couple of years has seen the rise of player representatives and agencies in Indian football. With the sport only expected to grow, Prabhakaran said having regulations in place is the need of the hour.
“We need to have India-specific player agent regulations to meet our own challenges. We are an emerging market. There is lot of demand for players, and this base is only going to grow. We have to look into this aspect, protect the clubs and players,” said Prabhakaran.
A total of 6,586 intermediaries from 138 member associations had registered to answer the FIFA exam across the world. All of them need to clear the exam to continue in their respective roles, beyond October 1.
For those messing up the exam in April, they’ll have another chance on September 20 later this year. Failure to pass would mean the representatives cannot speak with clubs and players, unless in the company of a FIFA-registered agent.
The exam lasts 60 minutes and comprises 20 multiple choice questions designed to test the agents’ knowledge of FIFA regulations and the football transfer system.
“I felt some of the questions were a little tricky, but it should not be an issue for those who understand the transfer rules and this business well,” Sonu Lamba of Four Flags, a company representing India captain Sunil Chhetri, told TOI. “The industry needs regulations so that the business gets streamlined.”