A judgement of the European Court of First Instance (the "CFI")
has determined that the obligatory nature of the licence for football players'
agents is not a breach of EU competition law. FIFA's rules in relation to the
occupation of player's agents require that a licence is necessary to carry
out the profession. It was objected that these rules were restrictive and contrary
to competition law. Certain rules in relation to sports avoid being caught
by competition law as they fall within the "special nature of sport" definition.
FIFA however is an "association of undertakings" under Article 81
of the EC Treaty and football players' agents carry out an economic activity,
also caught under the competition rules. The court has however ruled that the
trade of football agent requires a standard of professionalism and morality
for the protection of the players which warrants restrictions in relation to
licensing.

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