Foreign Agents Slay Dragons

Stumbled accross this tonight. Might give the Portugeezers and Diamond Mike something to think about.

FA close the net on agents
The Football Association has announced a series of measures that will curtail the freedom of agents and
how they operate in the UK. Regulations will come into effect from this Saturday that ensure that overseas
agents will have to register with the FA if they are going to deal with English clubs, they will also not be able
to do business with any club that employs a close family member. FA director of governance Jonathan Hall
told BBC Sport: "We believe these regulations are fair and balanced. They are a significant step forward in
governing this area of the game. These regulations aren't being introduced in isolation. We've brought in
more specialist staff to work on monitoring all transfers. "If we think there is some wrongdoing then we will
investigate. Specialists are in place to examine anything that appears dubious." Third party ownership has
come into the spotlight because of the Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano affairs, the FA admits that there
is limited scope for action and will look to FIFA to take a stronger stand globally. The FA has made new rules
through registration rights which prohibit agents holding any interest in a player. Mr Hall said: "Third party
ownership is more a matter for FIFA. It is an international issue. "It's not purely domestic and that's why
we've already been to FIFA alongside the Premier League to raise the issue. This is a big issue that needs to
be addressed internationally. It will not be solved by a set of FA regulations. But we are taking the steps we
can in this matter. This is a broader issue than agents and it can't be addressed overnight. It's extremely
complicated and very international. Action has started to be taken and it will continue when we have a
sensible dialogue with FIFA." Six new members of staff are to be based at FA headquarters monitoring any
deals that are suspected to breach the new rules.