The FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR) set the maximum percentage a football agent can charge for providing football agent services. This is known as service fee caps
Before the introduction of the FFAR in 2023, the industry was largely unregulated and there was no limit on what an agent could charge. The clearest example of this is Paul Pogba’s €105 million world-record move to Manchester United in 2016. Agent Mino Raiola earned approximately €27 million from the deal, with some investigative reports placing his commission as high as €49 million for representing all parties: Pogba, Juventus, and Manchester United.
The Pogba deal became the definitive catalyst for regulatory reform. To curb excessive multi-party commissions and restore financial transparency, the FIFA Council approved the FFAR on 16 December 2022 and came to force in 2023.
Understanding the FIFA Service Fee Caps (Article 15 FFAR)
Article 15 sets the maximum fee an agent can charge. Where the client is a player or coach, the agent can charge either 3% or 5% of the negotiated remuneration. Where the agent represents the selling club, the agent cannot charge more than 10% of the transfer compensation.
Here is the table representation of the percentage of how much an agent can charge for providing football agent services:
| Client Represented | Annual Remuneration ≤ USD 200,000 | Annual Remuneration > USD 200,000 |
| Individual (player or coach) | 5% of the Individual’s Remuneration | 3% of the Individual’s Remuneration |
| Engaging Entity (buying club) | 5% of the Individual’s Remuneration | 3% of the Individual’s Remuneration |
| Dual representation (Individual + Engaging Entity with written consent) | 10% total | 6% total |
| Releasing Entity (selling club) | 10% of the transfer compensation | 10% of the transfer compensation |
How to Calculate a Football Agent’s Service Fee
The calculation of football agent service fee caps follows a tiered model, with the applicable rate determined by the amount of the player’s remuneration or by the transfer compensation received where the agent represents the selling club. This step-by-step guide explains how to calculate the exact amount an agent can charge for providing agent services.
When the Agent Represents a Player, Coach, or Buying Club.
Step 1: Identify the Individual’s annual Remuneration (base salary + sign-on fee), whether it is more than $200,000. This does conditional payments such as performance bonuses and loyalty bonuses when assessing whether the $200,000 threshold is crossed.
Step 2: Apply the correct percentage.
Where the remuneration exceeds USD 200,000, a progressive tiered model applies rather than a flat 3% rate. The first USD 200,000 is subject to the 5% cap, while the remaining amount is subject to the 3% cap.Â
Where the agent is acting in permitted dual representation, representing both the player and the buying club, the rates increase to 10% and 6% respectively.
Calculation Example:
Agent K represents Player A, who signs a three-year employment contract with a new club. Player A earns a fixed annual remuneration of USD 900,000 in each of the three years. How much can the agent charge in service fees?
Solution:
5% of the first USD 200,000 = USD 10,000
3% of the remaining USD 700,000 = USD 21,000
Total maximum service fee per year = USD 31,000
Over the duration of the three years contract, the agent will receive USD 93,000 (31,000 x 3).
When the Agent Represents the Selling Club
Where an agent represents the releasing club, the service fee is capped at 10% of the transfer compensation received. Conditional payments tied to the transfer are included in the calculation. Sell-on clauses are excluded.
Example:
Club A sells Player F to Club B for a fixed fee of USD 25 million, payable over three years, plus a further USD 3 million if the player scores 20 goals in a season. There is also a 15% sell-on clause in favour of Club A.
Solution:
- Transfer compensation for calculation purposes: USD 25 million + USD 3 million = USD 28 million
- The 15% sell-on clause is excluded
- Maximum service fee: 10% of USD 28 million = USD 2.8 million
The agent is paid following each instalment of transfer compensation received by the selling club. For a video explanation, follow and subscribe to our YouTube channel.
The Current Status of the FIFA Agent Service Fee Caps
On 16 July 2026, the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) ruled in RRC Sports (Case C-209/23) that the fee cap under Article 15(2) does not constitute a restriction of competition by object. The Court held the service fee caps do not restrict competition by design and that, on the contrary, they protect clients from unethical conduct and stabilise the transfer market.
However, national courts must assess whether the cap produces negative market effects on service quality, and whether less restrictive measures could achieve the same consumer-protecting goals. Since the ruling, FIFA has been working with agent representatives to reach a fair and reasonable consensus that protects both players and agents.
The implication of this is that there is currently no specified percentage on how much an agent can charge on football agent services provided.
Frequently Asked Questions On How Much An Agent Can Charge.
Q: What can an agent charge when representing a player earning less than USD 200,000 a year?
A: An agent representing player who earns below USD 200,000 a year can charge up to 5% of the player’s annual remuneration.
A: What can an agent charge when representing a player earning above USD 200,000 a year?
A: The agent can charge up to 5% on the first USD 200,000 of the player’s annual remuneration, and up to 3% on the amount exceeding USD 200,000.
Q: How much can an agent charge for representing both the player and the buying club?
A: Where an agent takes on dual representation, acting for both the individual and the engaging entity with the prior written consent of both parties, the agent can charge up to 10% total on remuneration up to USD 200,000, and up to 6% total on remuneration above that threshold.
Q: How much can an agent charge for representing the selling club?
A: An agent representing the releasing entity can charge up to 10% of the transfer compensation received by the selling club.
Q: Who pays a FIFA football agent’s fee?
A: Under the FFAR’s Client Pays principle, the party the agent represents is responsible for paying that agent’s fee directly, except where the player earns less than USD 200,000 a year.
Final Thoughts
Knowing the service fee cap is not enough. You must also understand how to calculate the maximum amount a football agent is entitled to charge for the services provided. For more detailed explanations and practical examples on this and other key topics, subscribe to our YouTube channel.
If you are preparing for the 2027 FIFA Football Agent Exam, the calculation of agent service fees is a topic that deserves close attention. Our 400 Most Common FIFA Agent Exam Questions provides additional practice questions to test your understanding, while our FIFA Agent Exam Preparatory Course guides you through each topic step by step, building the knowledge and confidence needed to pass on your first attempt.