Representation, fees and how an agreement ends

It is the written contract between the player (the client) and the licensed football agent. FIFA requires it to be in writing and to include at least: the names of the parties, the duration, the service fee, the services to be provided, and the signatures of the parties.

A representation agreement between a player and an agent may not exceed two years.

It can only be extended by signing a new representation agreement. Automatic renewal clauses are not allowed and are treated as void.

An agent may only have one representation agreement with the same player at a time.

Yes, it can. Some member associations still publish older intermediary rules with different maximum terms. Where a transaction has an international dimension, FIFA’s two-year limit for player–agent agreements is the FIFA standard. If a national rule is stricter, that stricter rule can also apply. We will state the applicable term clearly in the agreement.

A service fee is only due for football agent services actually provided under a valid representation agreement — typically negotiating an employment contract or a transfer.

If the player is an amateur and receives no remuneration, FIFA’s position is that no service fee can be calculated for that transaction.

FIFA’s written rule is a client-pays model: the party who hired the agent pays the agent. If we represent the player, the player (or, where permitted, the club paying on the player’s behalf under the low-salary exception) is the paying client.

A limited exception in the FIFA text allows a club to pay the player’s agent where the player’s negotiated annual remuneration, excluding conditional payments, is less than USD 200,000 (or equivalent), and other conditions are met.

FIFA’s written regulations set service-fee caps, for example:

• representing a player: 5% of the player’s remuneration if annual remuneration is USD 200,000 or less; 3% if it is above that;
• representing a selling club: up to 10% of the transfer compensation;
• permitted dual representation of player and engaging club: a combined cap of 10% or 6%, depending on the salary band.

These cap and payment-method articles have been the subject of court challenges. FIFA suspended specified service-fee provisions worldwide in December 2023 (Circular 1873). In July 2026 the Court of Justice of the EU ruled on related questions; it did not, by itself, automatically switch every suspended article back on.

What this means in practice: the percentage in your representation agreement must be agreed in writing, lawful in the relevant territory, and confirmed against the FIFA and national position in force on the day you sign. We will not hide the fee in side letters.

Under the FIFA text, fees are calculated on remuneration the player actually receives, usually in instalments, and only while the negotiated employment contract is running. A short employment contract of under six months is paid as a single instalment at expiry.

If the employment contract lasts longer than the representation agreement, a fee may still be payable after the representation agreement expires — but only if that was expressly agreed in writing and the negotiated employment contract is still in force.

No — not for advice, time, or representation while they are still on an amateur, academy or youth deal.

FIFA does not allow a football agent to receive a service fee for work relating to a minor unless that player is signing their first or subsequent professional contract under the law of the country where they will be employed. Time spent advising the player and the family — pathway, clubs, schedules, wellbeing — is part of representation. It is not a separate consultancy we can invoice.

Relabelling that work as a “consultancy fee” or an hourly advisory charge does not change the rule. FIFA treats consultancy as “other services” and can still count it as an agent fee, especially if a professional contract follows within 24 months.

Where a national association is stricter (including FAM’s published rule against paying an intermediary while the player is a minor), we follow the stricter protection.

A fee is only discussed if a genuine professional contract is being negotiated. That fee, who pays it, and when it is paid will be written into the representation agreement before that work starts. Until then, you should not receive an invoice from us for looking after your child.

Yes, but only under strict conditions:

• the agent has completed FIFA’s required continuing professional development course on minors;
• the agent complies with the law of the country where the minor will be employed, and with that member association’s extra rules;
• an approach to the minor or their guardian may be made no earlier than six months before the age at which that country’s law first allows a first professional contract;
• the guardian’s prior written consent is required before any approach;
• the representation agreement must be signed by the minor and the legal guardian.

FIFA’s rule is narrow and protective:

A football agent may not receive a service fee for football agent services relating to a minor, unless that player is signing their first or subsequent professional contract under the law of the country where they will be employed.

That means:

• No agent fee for amateur, academy, school, scholarship or youth-registration arrangements that are not a professional contract.
• A fee may be agreed only when the deal is a genuine professional contract permitted by local law — and even then only as set out in the signed representation agreement.

Some national associations go further. FAM’s published intermediaries regulations, for example, prohibit payments to an intermediary when the player concerned is a minor. Where a national rule is stricter than FIFA, we treat the stricter rule as the one that protects the family.

Age alone does not create a fee. The question is whether the contract being signed is a professional employment contract under the law of the country of employment. A youth or amateur registration is not enough.

International moves involving minors are also restricted by FIFA’s Regulations on the Status and Transfer of Players. Representation does not override those protections.

Yes. FIFA says a representation agreement may be terminated at any time by either party if there is just cause. It can also end by mutual written agreement, which is the cleanest route when both sides want to stop.

Just cause exists when a party can no longer reasonably be expected, in good faith, to continue the relationship for the agreed term. FIFA lists examples that include:

• the agent’s licence is withdrawn or suspended;
• a ban on taking part in any football-related activity;
• a ban on registering new players for at least one full registration period.

Serious breach of the agreement, or conduct that makes the relationship untenable, can also amount to just cause. That is assessed on the facts.

Either party can still walk away — but FIFA says a party that terminates without just cause must compensate the other party for resulting damage.

That can include unpaid fees already earned, and in some disputes a claim for loss tied to work already done. It is not a free exit.

That is a mutual termination. It should be put in writing and should cover:

• the end date;
• any fees already earned and how they will be paid;
• confirmation that no further representation services will be performed;
• any remaining confidentiality or outstanding invoices;
• notification to the relevant football body or FIFA platform where the original agreement was recorded.

This is the path we prefer when a relationship has run its course.

Yes. When the stated term expires, the representation relationship ends. There is no tacit or automatic renewal. A new written agreement is required if both sides want to continue.

Only in the limited case FIFA allows: the employment contract that was negotiated while the representation agreement was in force is still running, and the representation agreement expressly said the fee would continue for that employment contract. New deals after expiry belong to whoever then represents the player.

After expiry or a valid termination, yes. While an exclusive representation agreement is still live, another agent must not approach the player outside the limited window FIFA allows near expiry. Families should not sign a second representation agreement until the first has ended.