Ex-Arsenal ace Ozil’s agent says Fifa will ruin football representatives’ lives if they introduce controversial fee caps
FIFA have been warned they will wreck lives if they introduce controversial fee caps for agents. Top agent Dr Erkut Sogut has accused Fifa chiefs of ignoring their fears over the proposed capping commission structure. Sogut, who represents ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, has withdrawn from the consultation process following Friday’s latest round of ‘false reality’ […]
FIFA have been warned they will wreck lives if they introduce controversial fee caps for agents.
Top agent Dr Erkut Sogut has accused Fifa chiefs of ignoring their fears over the proposed capping commission structure.
Sogut, who represents ex-Arsenal star Mesut Ozil, has withdrawn from the consultation process following Friday’s latest round of ‘false reality’ talks with football’s governing body.
He has also resigned as vice-president of the Professional Football Agents Association in protest.
And in a damning attack, he claims Fifa’s plans will lead to an elite group of agents monopolising transfers and deliberate rule-breaking by others.
Sogut, 41, has been the lead negotiator in Fifa’s agent licensing plans for three years, but insists they have refused to cooperate.
And in a letter to PROFAA members, he blasted: “Our voices have rarely been considered and the decisions have already been made.
“Many of our members have raised huge concerns about the proposed cap structure, but Fifa has not been willing to co-operate and discuss this further since 2019.”
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Fifa’s plan to limit agents’ commission on player transfers to just three per cent is set to spark a raft of court actions as it could break European employment law.
And Sogut added: “Without doubt, three per cent is not enough for an agent who looks after a player when offering services like contract negotiations, legal advice, day-to-day care, social media and marketing, and career support.
“Society’s perception conjures up images of agents earning large sums of money whilst representing the handful of elite talent in football.
“The reality is far different. The current commission cap proposal will make football agency a profession of which it will not be possible to earn a living from, unless you represent an elite player.
“This would give the power to a small group of agents and would also most likely drive people to circumvent the rules.
“Additionally, Fifa have not been able to offer clarity as to why an agent representing a selling club will be allowed to receive 10 per cent commision, but a player agent only three.
“This is incredibly concerning as it allows agents to be inserted into deals of which they have done little work for, yet are still remunerated at a far better rate.”
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