FA TO FINALLY GET TOUGH

Agents are to be prohibited from owning stakes in players as part of a series of wide-sweeping reforms to be introduced by the Football Association.

Following a meeting of the FA board yesterday, the tough new regulations are to be introduced from Jan 1 and reflect the clamour within the game for the tougher policing of agents.

The FA released a 16-point statement last night detailing the new rules, but the key changes will outlaw:

• Dual representation where agents act for players and clubs in the same deal. Agents will now only be able to act for one party.

• Agents being paid by clubs. In future all payments to agents must be made by the players they represent. Direct payment by clubs will only be permitted where money is deducted from the players' salary or benefits.

• Overseas agents acting in deals in England without registering with the FA first.

• Agents owning an interest, either directly or indirectly, in the registration rights of a player.

Although the rules on dual representation, payments by clubs and overseas agents were expected, the regulation on player ownership is a surprise development.

The transfer of Argentines Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano to West Ham in the summer has highlighted a growing trend in the game for the commercial rights of players to be owned not by clubs, but by agents, investors and companies.

The practice is common in South America, where most of the top players are owned partly or wholly by agents. Although Tevez and Mascherano are not owned by a registered agent, they are closely linked to Kia Joorabchian, the businessman now leading a takeover bid for West Ham.

The FA's new rules are a sign that there is growing concern about player ownership and part of a fresh determination at the FA to get tough.

Brian Barwick, the FA chief executive, said: "These new regulations show the FA's commitment and determination to governing the game. They will provide a major step forward in the regulation of this area and make it absolutely clear what is acceptable for players, clubs and agents."

The regulations have been criticised by agents who describe them as unworkable. The Association of Football Agents, who claim to represent around 80 of the 289 registered agents in this country, have predicted it will "destroy the industry".

They are particularly angry about the rules which will prevent clubs paying agents for representing their players, even though the Inland Revenue have already made it clear that it is the players who are responsible.