How To Become A Soccer Agent In South Africa

As a result of FIFA’s decision to introduce new Rules & Regulations relating to soccer agents in 2015, learning how to be a soccer agent in South Africa has been made easier. As a result of FIFA’s changes, SAFA responded by introducing changes to its own Rules & Regulations to comply with FIFA’s. SAFA introduced and approved the Regulations on Working with Intermediaries on 2nd April 2016. The new Rules & Regulations focus specifically on transactions involving Intermediaries and players and/or clubs in South Africa. In relation to the registration of Intermediaries, the document states:

Intermediaries must be registered in the relevant registration system every time they are individually involved in a specific transaction. 

Clubs and players who engage the services of an Intermediary are required to submit the Intermediary Declaration when doing business with or through an Intermediary. Furthermore, a professional player who engages the services of an Intermediary must provide the following documents to the relevant member association when entering into an employment contract with a new club:

The relevant Intermediary Declaration;

Any other documentation required by the member association (the League if applicable) or SAFA such as certified proof of residence; certified copy of identification document; and

The representation contract between the Player and Intermediary.

A player who has requested the services of an Intermediary to re-negotiate a contract with an existing club on his behalf must submit the above documents to the member association of his current club. A club requesting the services of an Intermediary to assist in concluding a transfer agreement between two clubs are required to submit the following documentation to the member association of the club following the conclusion of the relevant transaction:

The Intermediary Declaration;

Any other documentation required by the member association (or the League, if applicable, or SAFA) such as certified proof of residence; certified copy of identification document; and

A written agreement between Club and Intermediary for services rendered (paragraph 4.6).

Under Section 5 of the SAFA Regulations, in terms of registering Intermediaries, the Regulations state that in addition to the information provided by the player or club, SAFA, the member association, or the League will be entitled to conduct investigations to establish if an Intermediary has an impeccable reputation.

Where the Intermediary is a company, the member association responsible for registering the transaction shall satisfy itself that the individuals representing the company have an impeccable reputation.

A member association must also be satisfied, before registering an Intermediary, that the Intermediary does not have any contractual relationship with “leagues, associations, confederations, the League, SAFA, or FIFA that could lead to a potential conflict of interest” (paragraph 5.3.).

SAFA Player Agent Application Form

SAFA and/or the League and/or member associations shall have complied with their obligations in relation to registering soccer agents where they have received the relevant Intermediary Declaration that has been signed by the party concerned. The Declaration that needs to be signed depends on whether an applicant is an individual or company:

For individuals: Intermediary Declaration Annexe A;

For companies: Intermediary Declaration Annexe B.

A copy of the representation contract entered into between the parties (Intermediary and/or a club) must also be submitted to the member association concerned when the registration of the Intermediary takes place.

On the whole, it is clear from the above procedure that there is no official training or examination that a person has to take to become a registered soccer agent in South Africa. However, SAFA states explicitly that:

Is it hard to become a sports agent?

Becoming a sports agent takes plenty of hard work and dedication.

First and foremost, if you plan to be a sports agent, you’ll definitely need to pursue higher education. On average, most sports agents need to have at least a Bachelor’s degree.