An overview of FIFA’s ‘Phase 2’ reforms – agents, loans and clearing house

Stakeholders in world football have witnessed a host of regulatory changes brought about by FIFA, particularly over the last two years.

FIFA’s 6 year cooperation agreement¹ with FIFPro (the World Players’ Union), entered into in November 2017 to improve the governance of professional football was a catalyst for the several changes that have followed.

Most recently, in September 2019, FIFA announced² two significant changes, namely:

1. a mandatory cap on agent commissions, as part of the re-regulation of agent activity; and

2. the regulation of the loan system.

These changes, along with the proposed clearing house formed the second phase of reform (Phase 2 Reforms) and were discussed in detail by Mr Emilio García Silvero, Chief Legal Officer at FIFA at the International Congress on Football Law held in Madrid in the last week of September 2019 (RFEF Congress).

This article will provide an overview and analysis of the Phase 2 Reforms.