Dutch agents earn €9.5m from their players

Football money

By Samindra Kunti

April 8 – In the past year Dutch football agents and intermediaries pocketed €9.5 million from professional clubs for their transfer and player contract services, according to the Dutch FA, the KNVB.

The KNVB released the figure on their official website. It concerns 267 new agents or intermediaries, who were involved in 419 players contracts and transfers.

In April 2015 FIFA changed the regulations governing agents: the world governing body defined the term ‘intermediary’ and abolished the previously mandatory FIFA-license with its qualifying exam. Today, every national FA has to maintain an online register with the licensed intermediaries.

The figure of €9.5 million is the cumulated sum of compensation the intermediaries received when negotiating transfers, fees and player contracts. Possible bonuses and other financial incentives are excluded. The majority of compensation, €9.2 million, pertains to dealings with clubs from the Dutch top-flight, the Eredivisie.

At present, there are 267 registered intermediaries in the Netherlands. Before FIFA implemented the new rules, Holland counted 147 agents.

The KNVB stated that “it’s a good development that national football associations provide insight about the compensation of intermediaries. Such overviews enhance transparency in football and that’s good for the sport.”

The Dutch FA is in talks with stakeholders, clubs, players and intermediaries to introduce a ‘mark of quality’ for the organizations that house intermediaries. The aim is to offer players and clubs a guarantee that the respective intermediaries provide quality and are trustworthy. It’s a fundamental protection for Dutch football, according to the KNVB.

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