Dr. Ali Mirzabiqi: The Role of Agents in Setting Player Prices in Iran

The Role of Agents in the Transfer Market

Football is one of the most popular sports worldwide, creating a fertile ground for speculation, corruption, and profiteering. At the end of each football season, alongside intermediaries, club managers, and legal agents, the voices of those who seek to fill their pockets rather than develop the sport and its players are heard. The distinction between a profit-driven broker and a legitimate agent is clear: a professional agent can defend the interests of a player or club in negotiations, but problems arise when conflicts of interest or behind-the-scenes relationships enter the process.

FIFA Regulations and Transparency

FIFA’s regulations on agents emphasize reducing conflicts of interest, transparency, and setting clear commission structures. According to these rules, an agent must not represent multiple parties in a single transaction unless specific conditions are met and all parties give written consent. Additionally, frameworks for agent commissions are established to prevent illicit profits and increase transparency in the transfer market.

Is a Player Truly Free to Choose Their Agent?

The central question for Iranian football is whether a player truly has the freedom to select their own agent. If a club official or influential figure steers a player toward a particular agent and the player follows that same path to find a new team, who benefits from this relationship? If another club must also go through the same channel to acquire the player, can this structure influence the final contract cost? These questions require clear answers from a professional system.

A Vision for Transparency in Iranian Football

Dr. Mirzabiqi stresses that the issue is not a fight against agents but a call for transparency in the system. Professional and ethical agents should be the first to welcome a more transparent market. A player’s value should be based on performance and sporting worth, not on the number of intermediaries or their profits. Transparent football means knowing who negotiates, who represents whom, what fees are paid, who benefits, and whether all parties are aware of these relationships.

Conclusion

Ultimately, preventing corruption and promoting fairness in the transfer market requires transparency in agent roles, commissions, and conflicts of interest. This will help players, clubs, and Iranian leagues progress in a healthy and professional manner.