Australian FIFA-licensed agents welcome UK move

The Australian Licensed Player's Agents Association has welcomed the appointment of Michel Zen-Ruffinen, a former General Secretary of the world football body, FIFA, as Chairman of the England-based Association of Football Agents.

"It is good to see the British group up and running again," ALPAA Chairman Chris Tanner said from Sydney. "We actively exchanged information over the controversy arising from Harry Kewell's transfer to Liverpool and we look forward to talking to them about issues that we all face on a global scale such as enforcement of FIFA regulations by national FAs where evidence of breaches by players and clubs exists; club officials acting as pseudo-agents; bungs and other incentives being paid to coaches and managers; and - unlicensed agents. We will be talking to our British counterparts soon," he said.

The ALPAA has previously advised Asian Football Business Review that it is renovating its corporate structure and will soon be known as the Asian Licensed Player's Agents Association.