Poor players: More than 50% of candidates fail new FIFA agents test

April 28 – Almost half of the candidates taking a new exam so they can be licensed by FIFA as player agents have failed the test.

Only 1,962 people – 52% of the 3,800 candidates worldwide – passed last week’s test to get a license that will be mandatory to work in transfer and contract negotiations, FIFA have revealed.

They will now have to retake the exam on September 20, shortly before it becomes mandatory for all would-be agents to become licensed on October 1.

Should they fail again, they will be unable to work on transfers, contract negotiations or speak to clubs – unless in the company of a registered agent. There are further resits in May and November next year.

It costs $600 to take the test and the pass mark is set at 75% for answering 20 multiple-choice questions in English, French or Spanish.

FIFA announced that 6,586 candidates from 138 member associations registered to take the hour-long exam but only 3,800 took the test. That was partly down to no-shows or non-payment of the fee.

FIFA say the tests are intended to “raise the professional and ethical standards of the profession”. In other words to crack down on unscrupulous agents.

Only the 1,962 who passed will now receive a FIFA licence to “provide agent services in the context of transfers worldwide”.

Around 900 agents registered before 2015 are classed as ‘legacy’ agents and do not need to take the exam.

Contact the writer of this story at moc.l1711636637labto1711636637ofdlr1711636637owedi1711636637sni@w1711636637ahsra1711636637w.wer1711636637dna1711636637