Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has raised the issue of agents getting more money than what they are due for their work in handling the players. The European Clubs’ Association (ECA) recently published a report stating that agents get as much as 15% of the transfer fees. He has requested the clubs not to bulge under the pressure from agents. FIFA has a rule stating that 5% of the transfer fees involving the sale of the player between ages 12 and 23 should go to the club’s that trained them. However, many clubs in South America and Africa are thought to be unaware of this legislation.
They have paid out close to £ 200 million in agent fees as a result of it. Since this is money going out of the game, Gazidis says that it is beneficial if clubs started paying players well rather than distributing money to agents. Players themselves on a lot of money with many recently criticising the new contract signed by Wayne Rooney. The Manchester United star agreed a new 5 ½ year deal worth around £ 300,000 per week, which makes him the most expensive player in England right now.
Gazidis has been able to run Arsenal in an efficient way possible and it has seen the club make a profit in recent years.
“Clearly there is a lot of money going to agents in these transfer transactions but I don’t think we the clubs can abrogate responsibility. We are part of the problem as we are the ones agreeing to pay these amounts of money. There are unusual pressures in the system which lead to agents having significant leverage. Players should be making more money and that money not going to agents,” said the Arsenal chief executive during a press conference in Barcelona.