Agents of chaos: Hundreds descend on London’s ExCel centre to sit FIFA exam
There were chaotic scenes at London’s ExCel exhibition center on Wednesday, as hundreds of the country’s top agents waited more than half an hour to begin their FIFA intermediary exam.
The hour-long exam – which agents must pass in order to continue operating as a licensed player representative – was due to start at 2pm, but a number of no-shows that failed to pay the £300 fee caused a lengthy delay in proceedings. Some candidates also experienced technical difficulties.
Agents were given access to a 528-page study document containing FIFA’s rules and regulations via their laptops. Key topics covered in the exam include transfer rules, training fees, working with minors, the agent licensing system, commission caps, conflicts of interest, and the disciplinary and legal systems.
Among the officers present to take the 20-question multiple choice test were Mason Mount’s father Tony, Marcus Rashford’s brother Dane, Trent Alexander-Arnold’s brother Tyler and Harry Hickford, representing Dele Alli.
The exam was introduced by FIFA to regulate the number of agents, which currently stands at over 2,000 in the UK alone. A previous test, before FIFA deregulated the industry in 2015, had a success rate of just 20 percent – leading to concerns that a similar rate will fail this time.
Dele Alli’s best friend and agent – Harry Hickford (right) – was one of hundreds of football agents pictured who passed their FIFA exams and had to pass them to stay in the game
Agents must hope they successfully passed the hour-long, rigorous exam to keep their license, leaving hundreds of them sweating about their future in the game
Matt Warner (R, representing Eberechi Eze and Josh Dasilva) alongside Joel Pannick (C), representing Maya Yoshida and Yoshinori Muto
The pass rate is 75 percent, but any entrant who failed yesterday’s paper may re-enter on September 20. If he drops again, he will be barred from transfer and contract negotiations and banned from speaking to clubs, players and their families.
The mock-paper FIFA website crashed for a while on Tuesday, with so many users trying to access the portal to cram at the last minute. Some agents even hired lawyers to help them with revision.
Mail Sport has been told this will be welcomed by many in the game, especially as family members can get emotional during negotiations.
There were also questions about whether Mark Bellingham – whom Mail Sport understands has studied for the exam in a bid to represent his son ahead of a much-anticipated summer transfer away from Borussia Dortmund – and Harry Kane’s brother Charlie, who is the captain representing England. – would attend.
Insiders also told Mail Sport that they can see the pros and cons of the move to reintroduce the exam.
An agent said: ‘The idea of removing those who have only entered the industry in recent years, and with the main motivation of making money at any cost, is a good thing.
Richard Lee (representing Ben Foster, R) photographed exiting the exam hall
Dane Rashford (center, back) was one of the officers photographed queuing for the exam
The FIFA exam consisted of 20 multiple choice questions and has a pass rate of 75 percent
This included Michael Jarman (with coffee cup) who is part of Anthony Joshua’s entourage and Arnaut Danjuma, Patrick van Aanholt and Lionesses star Chloe Kelly counts among his clients
Ex-Sheffield United defender and coach Chris Morgan (second from left) was in attendance
“But the test does not take into account good agents who may not have the academic experience to pass this type of paper, which is very complex and not particularly relevant to an agent’s day-to-day work.
‘The test questions are usually about things you don’t need to know right away.
“It’s unfair in that regard, because you get scored on things that don’t really prove your credentials as a cop or otherwise.”
Those who fail the test can also remain employed by their agency as consultants, but sources say they could become a burden on employers given the need for graduate colleagues to guide them on agency matters.
A total of 6,586 candidates from 138 member associations have applied for Wednesday’s hour-long exam – which costs £300 – at various locations around the world.