Mission 89, in partnership with Loughborough University and the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association UK branch (CPA UK), has released the first-ever comprehensive Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking, presenting a rigorous academic and policy-oriented analysis of human trafficking within the global sports ecosystem.

The report integrates a comprehensive literature review, interdisciplinary expert consultations, forensic analysis of documented trafficking incidents, comparative international policy assessment, including contributions from global experts. While highlighting the economic benefits of the sports industry, which is estimated to be between $471 billion and $1.4 trillion annually, the report sheds light on how this lucrative industry has become a magnet for traffickers exploiting vulnerable individuals, particularly young athletes from the Global South.

According to industry stakeholders, the absence of a specific definition for ‘sport trafficking’ has presented significant challenges in distinguishing the phenomenon from migrant smuggling, irregular migration, and other forms of human trafficking, thereby preventing targeted Interventions. In addition, the US Department of State has identified significant regulatory gaps within sport governing bodies. Even established regulations, such as FIFA’s prohibition on international transfers of minors, have revealed numerous loopholes and enforcement challenges.

The report introduces a scholarly and precise definition of sport trafficking, referred to as a systematic process of recruiting and exploiting individuals within the sporting domain, characterised by coercive mechanisms that compromise individual autonomy and fundamental human rights. It not only involves the direct exploitation of athletes but also extends to the myriad ways through which the industry can serve as a conduit for labour and sexual exploitation, especially during mega sporting events which attract increased demand for informal labour and entertainment services (that may involve trafficking for sexual exploitation).

For Dr Serhat Yilmaz, the Lead Researcher of the report and Senior Lecturer in Sports Law at Loughborough University, it is quite straightforward. “Without a precise, sport-specific definition of trafficking, we are dealing with inadequate legal protections, ineffective policy development, challenges in identifying and supporting victims, limited prevention strategies, and blurred legal distinctions that allow perpetrators to escape accountability. Therefore, our objective is to bring sport trafficking out of the shadows and into focused, actionable legal and social frameworks”, he explained.

The report also presents a typology of sport trafficking supported by case studies that are identified and developed through the research. This typology of sport trafficking, as another novel aspect of the document, provides an overview of the different types of trafficking evident in, through, and around sports. In each case, the existence of the type of trafficking is determined by the presence of the necessary constituent elements of the trafficking crime as per the definition of the UN Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Protocol.

“Aligned with United Nations Sustainable Development Goals 8.7 and 16.2, the research provides a foundational scholarly contribution to understanding and mitigating trafficking vulnerabilities”, said Lerina Bright, Executive Director, Mission 89. “With a clear and specialised definition, we can provide clearer legal frameworks, guide more effective policymaking, improve victim support mechanisms, enable more targeted educational efforts and help the judiciary better recognize and address these specific trafficking cases.”

The report recommends that legislators and parliamentarians develop and implement domestic anti-trafficking laws that align with the TIP Protocol and relevant regional instruments. It advocates for a ‘non-punishment’ provision to protect trafficking victims, particularly migrant athletes, from criminal prosecution for actions stemming from their trafficking experiences. Experts also advocated for the introduction of a new recognised form of exploitation encompassing severe forms of economic exploitation in order to provide stronger protection for vulnerable athletes.

Policymakers should also adjust immigration frameworks for athletes to reduce trafficker exploitation opportunities and ensure recruitment follows international best practices for labour rights. In addition, building capacity through targeted training for identifying sport trafficking and improving data collection will be essential for raising awareness and addressing this critical issue.

The report identifies a range of different areas for improvement in efforts to combat sport trafficking and more effectively protect vulnerable athletes and aspiring athletes. They are consolidated as a set of recommendations for policymakers, law enforcement, prosecutors, the judiciary, service providers, and sport organisations. In this respect, the insight of this report, typologies, and interpretive guide provide support and guidance for these actors in pursuing the recommendations and supporting anti-trafficking efforts.

Accessibility and Engagement

• Full Report: Available for download on Mission 89’s website
• Academic Inquiries: globalreport-ST@mission89.org

The post Global Thematic Report on Sport Trafficking Unveils Critical Insights into Systemic Exploitation appeared first on Mission89.

 The European Football Agents Association (‘EFAA’) is a non-profit organisation which represents the collective interests of players’ agents in European professional football. In a bid to raise awareness of prevalent issues in the sport, EFAA has entered into a partnership with Mission 89 to acknowledge the consequences of trafficking in sport and play a part in combating it.

This joint venture focuses on education and the spread of information through Mission 89 social media. The campaign will run across all major social media platforms until 15 September. The objective is to educate young people on irregular migration and trafficking of minors in football. We spoke to EFAA Secretary General, Roberto Branco Martins, about EFAA’s goals for the future, and how a successful partnership could raise much needed awareness of trafficking in football.

“My official role is EFAA General Counsel,” he said. He came into this role almost 20 years ago after he conducted EU-wide research to find alternative platforms for regulating employment issues in the European professional football sector.

“I noticed that all individual actors in football, except the football agents, were gathered in an organisation that defended their collective interest. Together with leading agents, that notion led to the creation of EFAA.”

Martins describes the mission of EFAA as one that maintains professionalism and transparency in all the activities players’ agents undertake. “We do this by means of promoting an inclusive ‘agent’ voice in the international professional football sector,” he told us, “always in constructive collaboration with the established stakeholders.”

Q&A

Mission 89: How does EFAA support players agents?

Roberto Branco Martins: EFAA is an umbrella organisation of national agent associations. EFAA serves as the channeled voice for these individual associations and also for their individual members. EFAA has the experience and networks to assist in practically every element of agent activity [and] our members look for us for support.

M89: With globalization and the rapid commercialisation of football, how much has the landscape changed for player agents over the years?

RBM: The landscape has changed a lot due to the [over-]commercialisation of football. But the major changes are connected to the changes in the [framework of] regulation of players’ agents. The regulation needs to find a balance between the freedom of profession versus the necessary protection of vulnerable players and the need for transparency in payments in the transfer business. This leads to a struggle for legal certainty and that struggle remains a serious issue today.

M89: What do you think of the proposed agents’ regulations set by FIFA? And will it affect the way player agents work today?

RBM: EFAA believes that the current intentions will, overall, benefit the football agent industry. However, the regulations are not set in stone yet and for these principles to become regulations, some important steps towards consensus still need to be taken. EFAA is willing and able to assist FIFA and the stakeholders in any serious and well documented consultancy.

M89: In light of the proposed regulations, what are EFAA’s short- and long-term objectives?

RBM: Our objectives are always connected to our mission. Concrete, practical examples are a necessity for an international arbitration tribunal to efficiently solve international disputes; all while taking account of the specificity of the profession and a solid mechanism to guarantee that payments to, and representation by agents are not too far from the realistic agent activities. A set of rules needs to be simple and easy to follow and not leave open ends for forum shopping to circumvent the rules.

M89: The issue of trafficking of minors in football is a sensitive one, how high does EFAA rank the issue of football trafficking of minors in its agenda?

RBM: Very high. But EFAA realizes that it must work with other stakeholders to best combat this issue.

M89: What is EFAA doing to combat the trafficking of minors in football?

RBM: We have proudly engaged in approaching Mission 89 and look forward to actively communicating the objectives and outcomes of this project to our members and in doing so educate them where necessary about [trafficking].

M89: What role can EFAA play in combating the trafficking of minors in football?

RBM: We believe that we can create awareness among agents, football talents and their parents. It is important to know what an agent does, and even more importantly, what should NOT be the role of an agent. Many activities that are connected to child trafficking have nothing to do with how EFAA sees the portfolio of agent activities. Criminals that are involved in these type of crimes should not be placed under the scope of the definition of a players’ agent. EFAA wishes to bring this message across to its members and other relevant addressees.

M89: What advice would you give to young people out there who would like to pursue a career as a player agent?

RBM: Smell the sense of reality. Being a player agent is not what the media makes of it. You will not become a millionaire overnight and the chance that you will make a good living out of it is also very small. It is a tough industry and the ‘romantic’ idea troubles reality too much. Only start if you have enough skills and funds to make it for a while without running the risk of temptation to fall into dodgy alternatives in order to make ends meet.

M89: Which aspect of your work as EFAA Secretary General makes you the proudest?

RBM: The idea that, despite the stigma, we have been able to prove that we genuinely contributed to better standards in the international transfer business and that, in such a change, we have made our mark. It makes me proud to be part of such a process, focusing [specifically] on sport as a unifying and peaceful entity in the world, and to combat the wrongdoings that are a result of poor regulation and the over-commercialisation of football.

Follow Mission 89 on Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram and Twitter for more information about trafficking of minors in sport and our partnership with EFAA

The post Mission 89 X EFAA: The role of player’s agents in combating trafficking in football appeared first on Mission89.

So you made it. You’ve successfully completed a trial with a club and will be joining the lineup of players. All set to raise glasses with your family to toast to a successful footballing career. Congratulations, but wait.

There’s a contract to sign. Legal documents should ideally be looked over by legal personnel.

No lawyer? The European Football Agents Association have graciously provided some clauses to look out for in contract. The good vs the bad. It’s not a replacement for a lawyer; think of it as a handy guide to help you make sense of the legal stuff so you can make informed decisions.

GOOD CLAUSES:

APPOINTMENT

1. The Intermediary is appointed by the Player to provide services in the ___________ (state which market i.e. Australia/Global/Europe) market on the following terms:

–           provide mentoring and social media advice;

–           career guidance and training/development feedback;

–           in order to conclude a professional employment contract between the Player and a club;

–           training compensation advice;

–           advice on the FIFA regulations for Minors who want to transfer overseas;

–           advice on scholarships and academy programs and USA based college programs;

–           Passport advice;

–           conclude a renewal of the Player’s contract with their current club; and,

–           and to set up local and overseas trials.

REMUNERATION

2. Whilesoever during the Term of this Contract the Player is aged under eighteen (18) therefore a Minor, the Intermediary must not receive or accept any remuneration from or in connection with the Player. If the Player signs a professional contract when still a Minor which in negotiated by the intermediary, then any monies owed to the Intermediary (as agreed between the intermediary and the player and their parent/guardian in a separate binding letter which sets out the amount commission of …..%) shall be held in Trust and payable to the Intermediary after the player turns 18 years old. The Intermediary and the Player’s Guardian will mutually agree where this trust money shall be kept in what account and this shall be stipulated in the binding letter. When the Player turns 18 years of age, the Intermediary and the Player (and if required the guardian) agree to sign a new intermediary contract to cover the remainder of the professional club contract period negotiated by the intermediary when the player was under 18.

GENERAL CONDITIONS

3. (a) The Intermediary undertakes to safeguard the Player’s interests during the term of this Contract.

(b) The intermediary warrant’s that he complies with any working with young person’s checks if required by the Football Federation Australia.

TERMINATION

4. The Contract shall be automatically terminated with immediate effect if the Intermediary’s Registration with the Football Federation of Australia expires during the term of the Contract and the Intermediary does not renew his Registration within 14 days of being requested to do so in writing by the Player.

A representation contract with a Player over the age of 15, but under the age of 18, is terminable and a Player who is a Minor can terminate the contract by giving 1 months’ notice.

PARENTAL INVOLVEMENT

5. At the age of 18 years at any ground at any time without the express permission of the Player’s parents and the Principal or a Principal’s representative and obtain a relevant clearance to enable them to work with children.

EVENTS

6 (1). Accredited Agents are not permitted to communicate with Players under the

18

(2) If permission to communicate with a Player is granted from the parents of the Player and the Principal, any discussions with the Player must be in the presence of the parents and/or guardian of the Player or the Principal and/or the Principal’s representative.

(3) At National School, Academy and Club Events and Activities, Accredited Player Agents who attend must follow the following protocols;

• Officially register with the host organising body on arrival;
• Accredited Agents will wear their identification tags visibly at all times;
• At the conclusion of events Accredited Agents are permitted to contact the Team Manager of a team where they have an interest in a particular player and provide their business card / contact details who will in turn provide them to the player.

(4) Accredited Agents who attend Football events may have contact with players who are under the age of 18 if the following protocols are observed:

• The Accredited Agent has written permission to approach the Player from the parents of the Player
• The Team Manager sights and endorses the written permission;
• The written permission is lodged with the host organising body at the official registration area (if applicable).

(5) If a Team Manager believes the communications between the Accredited Agent and the Player are not in the best interests of the Player he may at any time terminate the contact and report his concerns to the Secretary of the Committee (or representative) and to the parents of the student.

(6) Comply in all respects with such rules, protocols, directions and requests as are made by any National Federation with authority to administer or arrange junior, school and other competitions or matches, so far as those rules, protocols, directions or requests relate to the attendance or conduct of player agents at such competitions or matches.

(7) Any Accredited Agent who fails or refuses to follow the above protocols will risk forfeiting their entitlement to participate any further at that particular event, or other events in the future, if concerns are brought to the attention of the Secretary of the Committee (or representative) by either the Team Manager or the parents of the student and it is deemed that an investigation of the complaint should be carried out.

COMMUNICATION WITH PLAYERS WHO ARE UNDER THE AGE OF 18 YEARS

7. An Accredited Agent, or any person on his or her behalf, must not, at any time, communicate with a Player who is under the age of 18 years, in person or by:

post, or telephone, or
text message, or electronic mail, or

using social networking websites (including Facebook.com and Twitter.com), or
any other means or form of communication,

without having previously obtained the written consent of the Player’s parent or guardian.

BAD CLAUSES

PERMISSION CLAUSES

The Minor assumes all risk associated with agreeing to this player representation agreement and agrees to indemnify, defend, and hold harmless and fully and forever release and discharge the Agent from any and all claims, demands, actions, causes of actions, suits, controversies, obligations and liabilities of any kind and nature whatsoever relating to personal injury, contractual disputes or economic damage sustained directly or indirectly from the Agents conduct.

TERRITORY

The territory covered by this agreement is the world.

TERM

• 3 years’ x 3 years’ x 3 years
• This Agreement will continue until one party provides the other at least ninety (90= days’ notice in writing prior to the end of Initial Period or any subsequent four-year extension.

THE PLAYER’S WARRANTIES

During the Term throughout the Territory, the Player hereby warrants that:

• The Player will not enter into or execute any contract, document, arrangement or understanding relating to his activities, without prior consultation with the Manager;
• The Player has full authority to enter into and performs this Agreement and is not bound by any previous agreement which adversely affects this Agreement.
• The Player will not engage any other person or company to perform any of the duties to be performed by the Manager hereunder, nor will the Player delegate to any other person any of the powers delegated to the Manager without the Manager’s prior written consent; and
• The Player will refer to the Manager all engagement and contract enquiries and offers concerning the Player’s activities and will make full disclosure to the Manager of any contracts or arrangements relating to the Player’s activities which have not been initiated by the Manager.

TERMINATION 

No breach of this agreement is a material breach giving the other party the right to terminate unless:

• The party allegedly in breach is given written notice specifying the nature of the breach (this notice must be clearly headed “Breach of agreement-Notice to Cure); and
• The party receiving the notice fails to rectify the breach within 30 days of such notice.

TERMINATION

• The Manager may by notice in writing to the Player terminate this agreement upon a breach of any provision of this Agreement by the Player provided that notice in writing of the matter constituting such breach is first given to the Player and such default is not rectified within thirty (30) days of service of such notice. Such termination will not prejudice any other actions legally available to the Manager.
• The Player may by notice in writing to the Manager terminate this agreement in the event that an application is made for the winding up of the Manager provided that such winding up application is not dismissed within forty five (45) days of service of any winding up application on the Manager.

Cet article est le fruit d’une collaboration entre Mission 89 et l’Association européenne des agents de football (AEAF) dans le cadre d’une campagne relative au mercato d’été.

Vous l’avez fait. Vous avez réussi à obtenir un essai avec un club et vous allez rejoindre le groupe des joueurs. Tout le monde est prêt à lever son verre au sein de la famille pour porter un toast votre réussite, à votre carrière de footballeur. Félicitations, mais attendez.

Il y a un contrat à signer. Idéalement, les documents juridiques devraient être examinés par le personnel juridique.

Pas d’avocat ? L’Association européenne des agents de football vous propose gracieusement quelques clauses à surveiller dans le contrat. Le bon contre le mauvais. Ce n’est pas un substitut à un avocat mais considérez que c’est un guide pratique pour vous aider à comprendre les aspects juridiques afin que vous puissiez prendre des décisions en connaissance de cause.

BONNES CLAUSES:

LES PARTIES

1. (nom, prénom et adresse de joueur, respectivement, pour les personnes morales: nom et adresse de l’entreprise, ainsi que nom et prénom de la/des personne/s qui agit/agissent pour elle)

Ci-après : l‘intermédiaire

L’intermédiaire est désigné par le joueur pour fournir des services sur le marché ___________ (indiquez le marché, c’est-à-dire Australie/Global/Europe) aux conditions suivantes :

– Fournir des services de mentorat et de conseil en matière de médias sociaux ;

– Orientation professionnelle et retour d’information sur la formation/le développement ;

– Afin de conclure un contrat de travail professionnel entre le joueur et un club ;

– Conseils en matière de rémunération de la formation ;

– Conseils sur le règlement de la FIFA pour les mineurs qui souhaitent être transférés à l’étranger ;

– Des conseils sur les bourses d’études et les programmes d’académie et les programmes universitaires basés aux États-Unis ;

– Conseils en matière de passeport ;

– Conclure un renouvellement du contrat du joueur avec son club actuel

– Mettre en place des procès locaux et à l’étranger.

RÉMUNERATION

2. Si, pendant la durée du présent contrat, le joueur est âgé de moins de dix-huit (18) ans et est donc mineur, l’intermédiaire ne doit recevoir ou accepter aucune rémunération de la part du joueur ou en relation avec lui. Si le joueur signe un contrat professionnel alors qu’il est encore mineur, négocié par l’intermédiaire, toutes les sommes dues à l’intermédiaire (comme convenu entre l’intermédiaire et le joueur et son parent/tuteur dans une lettre séparée qui fixe le montant de la commission de …%) seront détenues en fiducie et payables à l’intermédiaire après que le joueur ait atteint l’âge de 18 ans. L’intermédiaire et le tuteur du joueur conviendront mutuellement de l’endroit où cet argent sera conservé et du compte sur lequel il sera versé, ce qui sera stipulé dans la lettre d’engagement. Lorsque le joueur atteint l’âge de 18 ans, l’intermédiaire et le joueur (et si nécessaire le tuteur) conviennent de signer un nouveau contrat d’intermédiaire pour couvrir le reste de la période du contrat du club professionnel négocié par l’intermédiaire lorsque le joueur avait moins de 18 ans.

CONDITIONS GÉNÉRALES

3. (a) L’Intermédiaire s’engage à sauvegarder les intérêts du Joueur pendant la durée du présent Contrat.

(b) L’intermédiaire garantit qu’il se conforme à tout travail de contrôle des jeunes si la Fédération de football l’exige.

RÉSILIATION

4. Le contrat sera automatiquement résilié avec effet immédiat si l’enregistrement de l’intermédiaire auprès de la Fédération de football expire pendant la durée du contrat et si l’intermédiaire ne renouvelle pas son enregistrement dans les 14 jours suivant la demande écrite du joueur.

Un contrat de représentation avec un joueur âgé de plus de 15 ans, mais de moins de 18 ans, est résiliable et un joueur mineur peut résilier le contrat en donnant un préavis d’un mois. 

IMPLICATION DES PARENTS

5. A l’âge de 18 ans, sur n’importe quel terrain et à tout moment, sans l’autorisation expresse des parents du joueur et du directeur ou d’un représentant du directeur et obtenir une autorisation appropriée pour leur permettre de travailler avec des enfants.

LA COMMUNICATION AVEC LES JOUEURS ÂGÉS DE MOINS DE 18 ANS 

7. Un agent accrédité, ou toute personne agissant en son nom, ne doit à aucun moment communiquer avec un joueur âgé de moins de 18 ans, en personne ou par

courrier, ou téléphone, ou message textuel, ou courrier électronique, ou

l’utilisation de sites de réseaux sociaux (y compris Facebook.com et Twitter.com), ou de tout autre moyen ou forme de communication,

sans avoir obtenu au préalable le consentement écrit du parent ou du tuteur du joueur.

MAUVAISES CLAUSES

LES CLAUSES D’AUTORISATION

 Le mineur assume tous les risques liés à l’acceptation de cet accord de représentation des joueurs et accepte d’indemniser, de défendre et de dégager de toute responsabilité, ainsi que de libérer et de décharger entièrement et pour toujours l’agent de toutes les réclamations, demandes, actions, causes d’actions, poursuites, controverses, obligations et responsabilités de toute sorte et de toute nature relatives à des dommages corporels, des différends contractuels ou des dommages économiques subis directement ou indirectement du fait du comportement de l’agent.

TERRITOIRE

Le territoire couvert par cet accord est le monde.

TERME

(a) 3 ans x 3 ans x 3 ans

(b) Le présent accord se poursuit jusqu’à ce qu’une partie donne à l’autre un préavis écrit d’au moins quatre-vingt-dix (90= jours) avant la fin de la période initiale ou de toute prolongation ultérieure de quatre ans. 

LES GARANTIES DU JOUEUR  

Pendant la Durée du contrat sur l’ensemble du Territoire, le Joueur le garantit par la présente:

• Le Joueur ne conclura ou n’exécutera aucun contrat, document, arrangement ou accord relatif à ses activités, sans consultation préalable avec le Manager ;
• Le Joueur a toute autorité pour conclure et exécuter le présent accord et n’est pas lié par un accord antérieur qui affecte négativement le présent Accord.
• Le joueur n’engagera aucune autre personne ou société pour remplir les fonctions du Manager en vertu des présentes, et ne déléguera à aucune autre personne les pouvoirs délégués au Manager sans le consentement écrit préalable du Manager ; et
• Le joueur doit soumettre au Manager toutes les demandes et offres d’engagement et de contrat concernant les activités du joueur et doit divulguer au Manager tous les contrats ou arrangements relatifs aux activités du joueur qui n’ont pas été initiés par le Manager.

 RÉSILIATION

Aucune violation de cet accord n’est une violation matérielle donnant à l’autre partie le droit de résilier, sauf si :

1. a) la partie prétendument en infraction reçoive un avis écrit précisant la nature de l’infraction (cet avis doit être clairement intitulé “Violation de l’accord – Avis de remédier”) ; et
2. b) La partie qui reçoit l’avis ne corrige pas la violation dans les 30 jours suivant cet avis.

RÉSILIATION

(a) Le Manager peut, par notification écrite au Joueur, résilier le présent accord en cas de violation d’une disposition du présent accord par le Joueur, à condition qu’un avis écrit de l’affaire constituant cette violation soit d’abord donné au Joueur et que cette violation ne soit pas rectifiée dans les trente (30) jours suivant la notification de cet avis. Une telle résiliation ne portera pas préjudice aux autres actions dont dispose légalement le Manager.

(b) Le Joueur peut, par notification écrite au Manager, résilier le présent accord dans le cas où une demande de liquidation du Manager est faite, à condition que cette demande de liquidation ne soit pas rejetée dans les quarante-cinq (45) jours suivant la signification de toute demande de liquidation au Manager.

The post Good and Bad Clauses in a Football Contract appeared first on Mission89.

In 2009, Michael Afolabi Sodeke became a player’s agent and since then he has been involved in sports promotion and development from grassroots to the professional level. In 2018, he played a leading role in repatriating 10 football trafficking victims who were scammed and left stranded in Cape Verde by a fake agent with the promise of a trial in Europe.

He is the C. E. O of Anfield-Lane Integrated Services, which includes Anfield-Lane Soccer School and Anfield-Lane Sports Promotion. Michael founded Football Intermediaries Association of Nigeria (FIAN), an association responsible for unifying all registered intermediaries in Nigeria. FIAN has recorded some major achievement under his leadership, highlights of which include affiliation with the European Football Agent Association (EFAA) and a campaign against human trafficking through football.

We had a chat with him on his role as a football agent and his thoughts on human trafficking in the name of sports.

Questions:

1. Why did you decide to become a football agent?
2. What do you like most and least about being an agent?
3. In your opinion what are the three characteristics of a good agent?
4. What are three things that young players and their parents should be aware of before signing a contract with an agent or agency?
5. It has been reported that up to 15,000 young footballers are trafficked out of West Africa annually (Poli, 2010) on false pretenses to play professionally in Europe. What do you make of this?
6. Do football agents have a role to play in safeguarding young players from exploitation?
7. What do you make of the new agents’ regulations set by FIFA? What would you like to see changing?
8. What education could be useful to agents to do their work even better?
9. Which aspect of your work as a football agent makes you the proudest?

The post Michael Sodeke on his role as a player’s agent appeared first on Mission89.

Ellen Chiwenga has been working in the world of football for more than 15 years, learning step by step all the aspects of the game, from grassroots football development to global business development and transfers. She is a FIFA Football Match Agent, as well as a member of the Association of Football Agents (AFA), the International Association of FIFA Licensed Football Match Agents (FIFMA), and Women in Football (WIF) from Zimbabwe.

Driven to create change in a male-dominated industry with the ambition to promote diversity and equality in the game, she is the only female Football Match Agent in England and the only female African Football Match Agent in the world. As part of her duties, Ellen legally represents athletes by checking their contracts and negotiating their employment. She is responsible for communication between the managers and individuals she represents to ensure that both sides are satisfied and also arranges international matches among teams belonging to different Confederations, such as friendly matches and tournaments between national teams or clubs.

Her work has been recognized with several awards. She was named Personality of the Year at the 2017 Zimbabwe Achievers Awards and the African Woman of the Year in Football in 2018. That same year, she became an Ambassador of FC Karachi in Pakistan. In August 2019, Ellen Chiwenga was appointed Global Goodwill Ambassador of Bring Hope Humanitarian Foundation (BHHF), a charity organisation that delivers humanitarian aid and medicines to internal displaced people, refugees, and people in need around the world. In November 2019, Ellen received the prestigious Football Black List Award for her outstanding work in football. She is a member of the ‘Right to Play’ Partnerships Committee and in January 2020 was awarded the Medal of Knight of the Order of Lafayette. In May 2020, Ellen became advisor at FIFA Ethics and Regulations Watch (FERW). Earlier this year, Ellen Chiwenga announced her intention to run for the Zimbabwe Football Association (ZIFA) presidency in the 2022 election.

We had a chat with her on her role as a football agent.

Why did you decide to become a football agent?

I grew up in Zimbabwe hearing about football all the time as my two uncles were working with clubs and the football association. Above all, I love football because of its power to inspire and drive change in the lives of boys and girls. When I moved to the UK, my own experience taught me how difficult it can be for a young person to adapt to a new environment, sometimes in a totally different country. This is how why I decided to become an agent. I like to take care of players because I know that my daily work has an impact on their wellbeing. By helping them adapt and feel well in the club and mentally, I make sure that they deliver great performances on the pitch. Football is the science of people and I like these interactions, not just with the player but with the clubs’ staff, other agents, the community and the fans.

Which aspect of your work as a football agent makes you the proudest?

Managing a player is like being a mother taking care of her child. I like to see them grow as individuals, and flourish as players. There is often a lot of expectations from the fans and media, as well as large sums involved in transfers at a young age. It is not always easy for players to resist the pressure and make sense of all this. There are countless stories of great talents who never fulfill their potential. Therefore, it is a source of pride to see one of your players developing into a nice, confident and respectful individual with good values that will guide them for a lifetime. Also, to see young boys and girls make their dreams come true as professional players after years of hard work, commitment and sacrifice fills me with tremendous joy for them and their family.

What are some of the misconceptions about football agents?

One of the biggest misconceptions in the public and media is that football agents exploit the system and make a lot of money on transfers. This couldn’t be further from the truth. Agents are a key part of the football ecosystem. They are ambassadors who detect talents, promote and advise players, facilitate discussions with clubs, and help them find the best opportunities. People take a partial view based on the very few top agents who negotiate the transfers of world-class players. They merely represent the top of the iceberg and reality is that many agents struggle to make a decent living with players in lower divisions and smaller clubs. Also, there is no magic formula to be certain that a young talented player will sign a professional contract in the future. This is a risk that the agent has to take. What many people also forget is that an agent doesn’t just come and go after taking a commission on transfers. An agent continues to take care of his/her player after the transfer, and this is a 24/7 job.

What advantages does a female agent have in an industry that is dominated by men?

Speaking about my own experience, I would say that a woman football agent takes a different perspective, more long-term and comprehensive than men. While most men would focus in details on the qualities of a player – statistics, technical skills, strength, speed, stamina, etc. – I like to engage with the player and discuss topics such as which position he prefers, the system he feels more comfortable with, or what type of coach he likes. Regarding potential transfers, we discuss elements like the city, the region, the teammates, and if he thinks he would fit into the culture of the club. I know that the living and working environment is very important for the development of a player, for him to strive in his new club, so we take the time to address all these topics. A man might not take the same approach.

In your opinion, do you think that the majority of agents are aware of the issue of human trafficking in football? If yes, then why do you think human trafficking continues in football? If no, why not? What could be done to improve awareness among agents?

We have all heard the sad stories of human trafficking in football and how so-called ‘agents’ are taking advantage of impoverished families and children in developing countries by luring them with false promises of lucrative careers abroad. However, most agents working with professional clubs in the top leagues of Western countries only see the faces of the young players who have signed or are about to sign their first professional contract. The problem of human trafficking in football has to be tackled directly at the source, in countries where poverty leads many families to believe the narrative of corrupted individuals. It is worth noting that those individuals are not ‘agents’, since official agents are required to be registered by their Football Association (FA) and go through police check if working with minors. Therefore, it is the role of governments, municipalities, Ministries of Sports, and Football Associations in developing countries to lead the charge against human trafficking in football by educating local populations about this danger. FIFA also has a large role to play by initiating an international campaign on the subject, and by making sure that part of the funds it sends to the FAs of poor countries is used to fight against this global issue.

What role can football agents play in preventing the trafficking of young footballers?

Whenever they travel to less developed countries and poorer areas of the world in order to scout potential players for clubs, agents should take the opportunity to speak with local club managers, football academies staff, and football authorities about this important subject. They should also raise this matter with coaches and make sure that their message is relayed to the kids, and even better, their parents. Together with their FAs, football agents could work to produce information leaflets and stickers that could be distributed to the relevant populations at home and during their trips. Education and knowledge are the first powerful barrier to eradicate trafficking.

Are there any special considerations for female football players who sign with agents? Are any specific measures taken to safeguard them from exploitation?

Females are more vulnerable, and with the growth of the women’s football across the globe – which is a great improvement – it will also become more dangerous. Unscrupulous individuals will try to take advantage of the situation by luring young girls with tales of riches with a football club in Europe, the US or China. The first line of defense is the family. With more girls around the world attracted by the passion of football, it is important for the parents and family to acknowledge it and support them in their journey. Taking interest, asking questions, attending training and watching games is the surest way to understand who is evolving around your daughter and take action to prevent any kind of exploitation before it happens.

What do you make of the new agents’ regulations set by FIFA? What would you like to see changing?

I strongly welcome the decision of FIFA to reintroduce the mandatory licensing system for agents. Having had literally anyone being able to act as agent for players did nothing good for the game, and makes me wonder why it was abandoned in the first place. This will raise professional standards, and bring more transparency with the creation of a FIFA Clearing House. Regarding the more sensitive issue of a cap on commissions, I believe that the market is always better regulated by itself. Temptations to distort, in any sector, the natural equilibrium of the market always create unintended externalities and incentives for some actors to get around the legislation, which is exactly what everyone wants to avoid. But overall, the return of the licensing system represents a great opportunity to inform and educate agents about the issue of human trafficking and the risk of exploitation by fake agents at grassroots level.

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