Bale and Redknapp urge Fifa to stop scrapping of licensing for agents

The Real Madrid forward and Queens Park Rangers manager have both spoken out against world football's governing body's proposals regarding agents

Gareth Bale and Harry Redknapp have called on Fifa to rethink its plans to scrap the licensing of agents.

If the governing body’s current proposals go ahead then agents with no prior training or qualifications will be able to represent players from February 2015.

Following an end to the licensing exam introduced in 2001 to help regulate the industry, potential agents would only need to register.

Fifa claims the changes were “overwhelmingly endorsed” when presented at its annual Congress in May, however, the proposals have provoked an instant backlash, with the Association of Football Agents against the idea.

And Real Madrid forward Bale, who became the world’s most expensive player in the summer, has spoken of the importance of having a competent agent.

“It is vitally important every player has a very good agent,” Bale told the Evening Standard. “In my case, I picked the best one. It is very important a player has an agent who looks after his interests on and off the pitch.”

Queens Park Rangers manager Redknapp has also spoken out against the proposals, saying: “Fifa’s plan needs to be reviewed.

“I’ve been approached by people claiming to represent players when they do not but allowing almost anyone to act as an agent will make deals very messy and complicated.

“The FA need to discuss this further with Fifa and work with the agent association.”

Fifa is due to finalise its draft of regulations, before presenting them to its Executive Committee at next year’s Fifa Congress.

“Fifa’s work in the context of the revision of the Players’ Agents Regulations seeks to introduce a system which is overall easier to implement and hence easier to enforce,” said a spokesman.