One of the core objectives of the FIFA Football Agent Regulations (FFAR) is to protect minors. As a result, Article 13 of the FFAR on the representation of minors is one of the most commonly tested areas in the FIFA Agent Exam. Because of the layered nature of the rules, few provisions in the FFAR are as precisely timed, and as commonly misjudged under exam conditions, as the rule governing when an agent can first approach a minor.
If you are preparing to register for the 2027 FIFA Agent Exam window, which opens in January, here is what you need to know about Article 13 of the FFAR before exam day.
The Rule on Approach of a Minor By an Agent.
Under Article 13(1) of the FFAR, a football agent may approach a minor, or the minor’s legal guardian, in relation to football agent services no more than six months before the minor reaches the age at which they are eligible to sign their first professional contract, under the law applicable in the country or territory where the minor will be employed.Before an agent can represent a minor, four non-negotiable prerequisites must be satisfied:
1. The 6-Month Approach Window
A football agent may only approach a minor, or their legal guardian, no earlier than six months before the minor reaches the legal age to sign their first professional contract under the law applicable in the territory where the minor will be employed. This rule reflects FIFA’s broader effort to reduce inappropriate early influence over young players.
2. Prior Written Guardian Consent
Before making any approach, whether in person or through an intermediary, the agent must obtain prior written consent from the minor’s legal guardian.
3. Mandatory Minor CPD Qualification
An agent cannot execute a representation agreement for a minor unless they have successfully completed FIFA’s designated Continuing Professional Development (CPD) module on Minors.
4. The Professional Contract Commission Threshold
An agent cannot receive or collect any service fee for representing a minor unless the minor is signing their first or a subsequent professional employment contract.
Frequently Asked Questions on Approaching Minors
Q: When can a football agent first approach a minor under the FFAR?
A: No more than six months before the minor reaches the age at which they are eligible to sign their first professional contract under the law of the country where they will be employed, and only after obtaining the prior written consent of the minor’s legal guardian.
Q: Is guardian consent enough on its own to approach a minor early?
A: No. Guardian consent and the six-month timing window are two independent, mandatory conditions. Satisfying one without the other does not authorise an approach.
Q: Does the six-month rule apply the same way in every country?
A: No. It is measured against the age of professional contract eligibility under the specific country’s employment law, which can vary. The permitted approach date therefore differs depending on where the minor will be employed.
Q: Can an agent ever receive a fee from a minor?
A: Generally no. The one specific exception under Article 14(9) is that an agent may receive a fee when a minor signs their first professional contract.
If you need a detailed explanation, a practical guide, and a wide range of sample questions to test your understanding, start with our FIFA Agent Exam Preparatory Course today. You can also join our Aspiring Agents group, where you will have access to free materials, resources, and the opportunity to practise alongside hundreds of candidates preparing for the 2027 FIFA Agent Exam.