History of EFAA
Since 2007, EFAA has worked tirelessly to present the football agent perspective before other football stakeholders—after more than a decade, we show no sign of stopping.
2015
The Regulations on Working with Intermediaries are enacted, requiring drastic responses from EFAA and its members
FIFA's Regulations on Working with Intermediaries ("RWI") led to the deregulation of the football agent profession, as the previous requirements of passing an examination, signing a code of professional conduct, and holding liability insurance were disbanded. Meanwhile, enforcement was left to the national federations, with the regulations only establishing minimum requirements. This led to a chaotic transfer market, as rules and enforcement varied per country. The deregulation of the industry was opposed of by EFAA, leading the organization to take action into its own hands. EFAA has since assisted its members in developing accredidation standards for football agents per country, but with the ability for these qualifications to transfer across borders. This harmonization of standards brings about more transparency in the transfer market, mollifies the bureaucratic hold-ups in conducting international transfers, and assures clubs and players of the integrity and professionalism of the agent with whom they work.
2017
The EU Sectorial Social Dialogue for Professional Football meets and issues Resolution on intermediaries/agents
In November 2017, the EU Sectorial Social Dialogue Committee for Professional Football—composed of ECA, EPFL (now European Leagues), FIFPro, UEFA, and under the auspices of the European Commission—met to discuss FIFA's RWI. This committee noted the apparent flaws of the regulations, such as a decreased quality of service from intermediares and inconsistent implementation and enforcement across countries. Consequently, the committee issued the "Resolution on intermediaries/agents," calling for a "harmonized, European approach" so as "to ensure higher professional and ethical standards." EFAA supported this conclusion and immediately took action to bring stakeholders together in order to discuss what was necessary in order to make positive changes within the intermediary/agent profession.
2018
Image Source: https://historyofsoccer.info/forwards-in-soccer.
In response to the EU Sectoral Social Dialogue Committee's "Resolution on intermediaries/agents" (November, 2017), EFAA hosted a roundtable discussion in April with representatives from key football bodies, such as the European Commission, ECA, UEFA, KNVB, and Ligue de Football Professionnel.
2018 likewise marked the beginning of the FIFA Task Force's research into the transfer market, with the intention of overhauling the entire transfer system and current regulatory frameworks (including the RWI). EFAA took an active position in this process, with its Board members sharing the agent perspective to FIFA officials in Zurich. While not official consultation, these meetings represent some of the first genuine discussions held between FIFA and football agents regarding the regulation of the profession in an effective manner.
2019
EFAA hosts event: The Future Role of the Football Agent in the Transfer Market
On July 23 at Loughborough University London, EFAA invited lawyers, agents, academics, and journalists to a roundtable discussion which detailed EFAA's position on key issues before the FIFA Task Force finalizes the forthcoming regulations that replace the RWI. More information and details on this event can be found under "Updates."
2020
EFAA Holds General Assembly Ahead of COVID-19 Operational Pause
FIFA published the “Agent Framework Implementation,” setting out updated guidelines for the profession. Concurrently, EFAA convened its members for a General Assembly and hosted a public Policy Brief event at Stadion Letzigrund in Zurich. As the coronavirus pandemic spread globally, severely disrupting football operations, EFAA engaged with its members to assess how different countries were responding and to evaluate the measures affecting domestic football industries.
2021
EFAA Keeps Members Up-to-Date During COVID-19
FIFA launched the next phase of its consultation process, sharing the second and subsequently the third draft of the FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR). During this period, the COVID-19 pandemic continued to affect football worldwide, creating ongoing challenges for operations at both domestic and international levels. EFAA maintained close engagement with its members to monitor developments and understand how the evolving situation impacted the profession and the broader football industry.
2022
EFAA Collaborates with the University of Antwerp and the University of Amsterdam
EFAA collaborated with the University of Antwerp and the University of Amsterdam on the event “Approaching the FFAR: A Reflection of the Threats and Opportunities for Future Agent Regulations at the National and European Level” in Antwerp. As COVID-19 measures began to ease, allowing football operations to gradually return to a sense of normalcy, the FIFA Council formally adopted the FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR), marking a significant milestone for the profession.
2023
EFAA Collaborates with Academic Institutions to Discuss Agent Regulation While Growing Its Community
EFAA collaborated with the University of Amsterdam’s AIASHSI and UCFB:GIS on “Controlling the Game – Critically Assessing Governance and Regulatory Issues Facing Football” at Wembley Stadium in London. During this period, FIFA established the Football Agent Working Group and continued advancing the FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR). In Germany and Switzerland, agents sought injunctions against the FFAR, while EFAA convened agents in Copenhagen and South Africa to discuss concerns over consultation, examination timelines, and the service fee cap. Court proceedings saw mixed outcomes: the Pro Agent/EFAA case did not secure a provisional measure, while a preliminary injunction in Dortmund temporarily suspended specific FFAR provisions in Germany. CAS dismissed PROFAA’s claim, upholding the FFAR, and FIFA later retroactively suspended it for transactions linked to Germany. EFAA and UCFB:GIS co-hosted “An Industry on Fire? The Search for Effective Agent Regulation in the International Transfer Business” at Wembley, accompanied by a General Assembly with representatives from 23 countries and six continents, highlighting the fragmented regulatory landscape and the need for coordinated international legal action. During this period, several national associations were established, including in Poland and Greece, both joining EFAA.
2024
EFAA Welcomes New Members
In January 2024, EFAA participated in a stakeholder discussion led by Robby Houben at the University of Antwerp as part of the Pro League education programme for club officials and administrators. In February, EFAA co-hosted “Legal, Judicial, and Tax Challenges in Football 2024: The (Re)Regulation of Agents, Transfers, and Competitions in a Changing Legal Environment” in Madrid alongside Laffer Abogados and ESQUAD Abogados. In May, EFAA contributed to a panel discussion at the Globe Soccer Awards in Sardinia. In October, the Diarra judgment was released, with the ECJ ruling that FIFA’s transfer regulations on financial compensation and additional sporting penalties for early contract termination without “just cause” conflicted with the principles of freedom of movement and EU competition law. In November, EFAA and the Lawyers Network held an informal Zoom discussion examining the implications of the Diarra case across jurisdictions and exploring recommendations for future player transfer regulations. By December 2024, EFAA had welcomed three new member organisations, representing Croatia, Serbia, and Ukraine.
2025
EFAA Engages With Stakeholders Across Football
On March 27, 2025, EFAA co-hosted “Regulatory, Legal, and Structural Challenges in Football 2025” alongside Laffer Abogados and ESQUAD Abogados. The event provided a platform for in-depth discussions with representatives from UEFA, FIFPRO Europe, LaLiga, leading agents, legal professionals, and experts from other sports, offering diverse perspectives on the current transfer system, agent regulations, and the future trajectory of the profession. From April 28–30, EFAA participated in the African Football Agents Conference 2025 in Rabat, Morocco. As the largest event of its kind on the continent, the conference brought together agents, club representatives, governing body officials, and academics to address the challenges and opportunities facing African football. EFAA emphasised the importance of including African agents in shaping the global profession and supporting the sustainable growth and professionalisation of the sport. On May 6, EFAA launched its ongoing webinar series, reinforcing its commitment to ensuring that the profession of football agents is properly represented. Presently, EFAA continues to engage with key stakeholders and collaborate closely with agents to promote meaningful consultation and effective regulation.