Crackdown on agents’ double pay

THE PREMIER LEAGUE and FA want to introduce new rules on agents next season that stop middle men being paid by both the club and the player in a single transfer. The FA is due to publish figures on payments to intermediaries for the last year in the next 48 hours and the numbers are again astronomical, with Liverpool set to remain the Premier League’s highest spenders. Last year the Reds spent £26.7million on agent fees, with the Premier League total exceeding £200m for the first time. The issue will be raised at tomorrow’s Premier League shareholders meeting, with clubs keen to end dual representation. FIFA is looking at a ‘hybrid’ regulation for agents that means only the player can pay the agent while limiting the percentage of the contract the player then has to share with them, likely at five per cent. The Premier League is keen to introduce a ‘player pays’ policy for next season.