New rules: FA asks Fifa for help

The Football Association says it only has limited power to deal with third-party ownership despite introducing new regulations to govern agents.

In a bid to govern activities and fight corruption, the Football Agents Regulations come into effect on Saturday. They include guidelines on areas such as dual representation, nepotism and overseas agents.

But the FA is claiming that third-party ownership remains a thorny issue and that the controversy surrounding players such as Carlos Tevez and Javier Mascherano must be addressed internationally by world football's governing body, Fifa.

FA director of governance Jonathan Hall said: "Third party ownership is more a matter for Fifa. It is an international issue. It's not purely domestic and that's why we've already been to Fifa alongside the Premier League to raise the issue.

"This is a big issue that needs to be addressed internationally. It will not be solved by a set of FA regulations. But we are taking the steps we can in this matter.

"This is a broader issue than agents and it can't be addressed overnight. It's extremely complicated and very international. Action has started to be taken and it will continue when we have a sensible dialogue with Fifa."

The new regulations are designed to increase transparency and stamp out malpractice in the sport by implementing a framework to which all agents operating in England must adhere.

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