Agent Mino Raiola arrives ahead of the signing of Dutch defender Matthijs de Ligt (not pictured) with Juventus FC in Turin, Italy, July 17, 2019. /VCG Photo
A group of football agents led by "super-agent" Mino Raiola has threatened FIFA with legal action over a proposed cap on transfer commissions, documents seen by AFP on Thursday show.
Raiola is an Italian-born Dutch football agent who represents Paul Pogba, Zlatan Ibrahimović and other big-name players.
The 52-year-old agent also led the Football Agents Forum (FAF), which invoked the courts after world football's governing body agreed in principle to limit commissions on player sales to 10 percent and salary commissions to three percent for both player and club agents.
FAF accused FIFA of restraining "free competition" in a letter sent on October 18, and said the regulations – set to be applied from next season – would violate antitrust law.
Manchester United's French midfielder Paul Pogba runs during the Premier League match against Wolverhampton Wanderers in Wolverhampton, UK, August 19, 2019. /VCG Photo
"We continue to hope that FIFA and all associations involved will understand the situation and refrain from implementing the proposals and that they will instead enter into an open dialogue with us," said the letter signed by Raiola, German agent Roger Wittmann and Gareth Bale's representative Jonathan Barnett.
"If not, the courts will have to decide about the validity and compensation for the incurred damages."
FIFA replied on November 5 in another letter seen by AFP, which said that the measures, yet to be officially adopted by the body, were drawn up after an "extensive consultation process," which "included the agents as well."
Raiola took part in one of the four formal meetings held with agents last year, FIFA told AFP.
"The entire package of measures aims to improve transparency, protect player welfare, enhance contractual stability and also raise professional and ethical standards," FIFA's reply said.
Swedish footballer Zlatan Ibrahimović (L) and his agent Mino Raiola attend the 2018 FIFA World Cup Russia group match between Germany and Mexico in Moscow, Russia, June 17, 2018. /VCG Photo
As well as capping commissions, FIFA's new regulations aim to limit agents from "multiple representations" or the widespread practice of agents brokering the same deal for both player and club.
"In so doing, the measures aim to eliminate or at least reduce the abusive and excessive practices which unfortunately have existed in football," FIFA added.
Pogba's transfer
Last year, Sportsmail revealed Raiola negotiated an astonishing deal with Juventus when he took a then 19-year-old Pogba from Manchester United to the Turin-based club in August 2012.
It is reported that the signing of Pogba had cost Juventus 1.5 million British pounds (1.93 million U.S. dollars), in the event of a future move they agreed to pay Raiola 50 percent of everything over a figure of around 40 million British pounds (51.54 million U.S. dollars).
In 2016, the France international had a then world record 89.3 million British pounds (115.04 million U.S. dollars) transfer from Juventus back to the United.
In October 2016, former Juventus general manager Giuseppe Marotta said that Raiola earned 27 million euros (29.75 million U.S. dollars) from the sale of Pogba from Juventus to the United that summer.
Zlatan Ibrahimović's possible new offer
According to a report from Italian newspaper Il Giornale in October, Raiola has already been in contact with Inter Milan management to offer the services of client Ibrahimovic.
After two eventful seasons, the 38-year-old Swedish superstar will be officially parting ways with LA Galaxy by the end of December, Ibrahimović and the club announced Wednesday.
(With input from AFP)