A group of players’ agents instituted proceedings in the Johannesburg High Court seeking to set aside the new SAFA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries.

A group of players’ agents instituted proceedings in the Johannesburg High Court seeking to set aside the new SAFA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries which enjoy the overwhelming support of stakeholders in the game.

Pending the hearing of a review of the Regulations they asked the Court to suspend the operation of the new Regulations on basis that these will irreparably prejudice them before the merits of the review have been heard.

The Court came to the conclusion that an interim order should be handed down suspending the operation of the new Regulations until the review is heard. The review will be heard in due course by another Court (“the Review Court”).

This decision does not mean the new SAFA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries have been set aside or are invalid. It means simply that the activities of player’s agents will continue to be regulated by the 2008 SAFA Players Agent’s Regulations until such time as the dispute has been dealt with.

SAFA has no doubt that the new SAFA Regulations on Working with Intermediaries will be upheld, that they enjoy the overwhelming support of participants in the game, that they accord fully with the requirements of FIFA and South African law, and are confident the Review Court will confirm that.

The review will be prosecuted urgently and all stakeholders will be kept informed and updated as to the progress of the matter. For present purposes clubs and players should continue to negotiate the best possible contractual arrangements, must ensure that in every transaction in which an accredited player’s agent is involved that is reflected in the contract documents and must ensure that there are no conflicts of interest.