FIFA "intermediaries" rule: "Blatantly anti-competitive and a restraint of trade" (M. Stein, AFA)

"There were three or four big, big things we knew would be unworkable and probably illegal (in the new FIFA regulations regarding 'intermediaries'). One was the imposition of a commission cap. Two was the failure to put any kind of education process, kitemark (certification) or requirement for insurance. And three was the lack of consultation. What we didn’t see coming was the regulation regarding minors and the cross-border problems," said Mel Stein, the chairman of the AFA (Association of Football Agents in the United Kingdom), to News Tank Football on 13/07/2015.

"What they (FIFA) have now said is that although you can represent a minor, a 17-year-old, in a contractual negotiation, you can’t get paid for a year. You have to wait until he’s 18. We think that is blatantly anti-competitive and a restraint of trade," said Mel Stein.

FIFA's stated objective with the new "intermediaries" regulations is to "to enable effective control and greater transparency in player transfers".

"If the club wants to buy a player, they'll deal with the devil if they have to. If a club wants to buy a…