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. . Raymond Jaravaza
ALL intermediaries, formerly known as player agents, that are purportedly representing football players in contract negotiations with clubs are operating illegally, Zifa has warned.
The 2017 football season is in its third week with two rounds of matches having been played in the Premier Soccer League.
But Zifa maintains that it does not recognise all local intermediaries a�� old or new- and will take stern measures against any individual or company that is representing players in contract talks with clubs.
The national football mother body recently slashed registration fees for intermediaries to $1 000 from $2 000 for individuals and $2 000 from $3 000 for companies.
Four established intermediaries – Gibson Mahachi, Russell Mhiribidi, Danford Mutashu and Lindela Tshuma – met Zifa vice president Omega Sibanda and board member Piraishe Mabhena for a crunch meeting that tackled operating frameworks for intermediaries.
a�?We had a meeting with intermediaries and it is in that meeting that we agreed to slash annual registration charges for individuals and companies.
a�?So far no one has registered with Zifa and we will invoke the necessary football statutes on anyone found operating illegally as an intermediary,a�? said Zifa spokesperson Xolisani Gwesela.
One requirement seems to be keeping prospective intermediaries from registering with Zifa.
A 12 months irrevocable bank guarantee of $15 000 from a reputable commercial bank is needed for new applicants on top of a $1 000 registration fee for individuals and $2 000 for companies.
But the bank guarantee requirement only applies to new intermediaries, former player agents are exempt.
An intermediary who requested anonymity said they were ready to register with Zifa once the national football association makes available the number of intermediaries that have shown interest in regularising their operations.
a�?For us former agents the $1 000 registration fee might sound too high but we are ready to pay, in fact once a sizeable number of intermediaries pay their registration fees the next step is to form a union (the Zimbabwe Intermediaries Association) that will cater for our welfare,a�? he said.
According to Fifa statutes intermediaries are required to charge 10 percent or less of the signing fee when a player signs a contract.
Anything more than 10 percent is illegal.
Does he think the $15 000 bank guarantee for new intermediaries is too high?
a�?The market is oversaturated with intermediaries, a majority of whom are swindling players by charging 40 percent or more on signing on fees, and I believe Zifa wants to contain the number of intermediaries in the country.
a�?We have been in the business for long and understand the plight of local players and Zifa felt it was the right thing to do to exempt us from the $15 000 bank guarantee.
a�?Some of us even buy boots and school stationery for young players and some forgo the 10 percent charges on signing fees when these boys eventually sign with professional clubs because the signing fees will just be too small,a�? he added.
A legitimate intermediary must possess a registration card from Zifa.
Prospective intermediaries must also exhibit good character in the form of a police clearance and the ability to settle the annual registration fee.
Ability and experience to work with players is an added advantage for applicants.
Intermediaries will also be obligated to declare their allegiance to ZIFAa��s rules on working with intermediaries.
Online Reporter