CHANGE OR FACE ACTION

Prem chiefs target agents to stem the cash leaving game

PREMIER LEAGUE chiefs are pushing ahead with a crackdown on players’ agents.

They are increasingly concerned about the influence of agents and the huge amount of money going out of the game to unregulated intermediaries.

It was discussed at this week’s Premier League meeting and 15 of the 20 clubs voted for these measures aimed at agents:

An exam must be passed

Fto represent players in England.

A UK bank account – with only players and clubs able to pay into it – must be held.

Those receiving payments from players in England must submit financial reports to the FA detailing payments received.

Fees to be paid over the length of a player’s contract – not a lump sum.

It was revealed in April that Premier League clubs spent £211million on agent fees in the past year with fans regularly complaining

FFFabout a lack of transparency.

Premier League chief Richard Scudamore, who is leaving before the end of the year, said: “When we talk about transparency, there’s a feeling that the players are not in the room when deals are being done and don’t know what their net pay packet will be.

“We voted to work this quickly and report into FIFA ahead of the next FIFA stakeholder committee meeting.”

Premier League clubs voted 18-2 in favour of the redistribution of foreign TV cash among the top six clubs while they also discussed safe standing.

Scudamore added: “We are looking as a league to gather evidence to take to Government.

“In order to create the possibility where our clubs have choice, in order to enable them if they wish to give spectators a choice. Ultimately, it’s about consumer choice.”

Scudamore revealed that the Premier League, Football League and FA all signed a co-operation document to prove they are getting on well together.

It was Scudamore’s parting wish as he leaves the Premier League after nearly 20 years, having overseen the latest TV deal.

He said: “It’s very straightforward, there’s no hidden reason why I’m leaving, I originally joined thinking I might last three years and 20 years is quite a stretch.

“But I wanted to resolve the alignment issue and latest TV deal before I left.”