Players’ agent lawsuit against FIFA before ECJ: Objection to new rules

Acquisition of license in focus

The new regulations for players’ agents in professional football will be a case for the European Court of Justice (ECJ). The Mainz Regional Court has suspended the proceedings for a lawsuit against the world association FIFA and has sent a so-called request for a preliminary ruling to the ECJ, as a spokeswoman for the Mainz Regional Court confirmed. The authorities in Luxembourg confirmed that this was the case. However, the courts have not yet published details of the content.

“For the duration of the proceedings at the ECJ, the proceedings at the Mainz Regional Court are suspended. The procedure remains pending at the regional court for this time, but will not be pursued further until the ECJ has decided,” said the spokeswoman for the Mainz regional court on request on Thursday.

The regulations, which were particularly controversial among intermediaries, came into force in January. Among other things, players’ agents will have to acquire a FIFA license in the future in order to be able to officially operate on the market. The new regulations provide basic standards for players’ agents and their customers. In addition to a licensing obligation, a ban on multiple representations is to be enforced and brokerage fees are to be limited. Consultants are now fighting back in the multi-million dollar business.

For the ECJ, it is the next multi-million dollar case from professional football. The dispute over an alternative to the UEFA competitions – the so-called Super League – is also currently before the Court of Justice. A verdict is expected in the coming months.

Average attendance in Europe: Most people were in these stadiums in 2022/23

42 1. FC Kaiserslautern – Fritz-Walter-Stadion – average attendance: 38,942

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Capacity: 49,850

Status: 04/06/2023

41 Everton FC – Goodison Park – Average attendance: 39,214

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Capacity: 39,571

40 Chelsea FC – Stamford Bridge – Average attendance: 39,840

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Capacity: 40,853

39 Valencia FC – Mestalla – Average attendance: 40,068

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Capacity: 48,600

38 Aston Villa – Villa Park – Average attendance: 40,854

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Capacity: 42,682

37 Olympique Lyon – Groupama Stadium – Average attendance: 41,298

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Capacity: 59,186

36 Werder Bremen – Weser Stadium – average attendance: 41,464

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Capacity: 42,100

35 FC Porto – Estádio do Dragão – Average attendance: 42,023

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Capacity: 50,399

Only league and European Cup games, since there is sometimes no reliable information for the cup

34 Feyenoord – De Kuip – Average attendance: 43,712

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Capacity: 47,500

33 Athletic Bilbao – San Mamés – Average attendance: 43,855

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Capacity: 53,289

32 VfB Stuttgart – Mercedes-Benz Arena – average attendance: 44,693

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Capacity: 60,449
Due to renovation work, the entire capacity was not available throughout the season

31 RB Leipzig – Red Bull Arena – average attendance: 44,832

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Capacity: 47,069

30 Galatasaray – NEF Stadyumu – Average attendance: 44,887

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Capacity: 52,223

Only league games, as no reliable information is available for the cup

29 SSC Napoli – Stadio Diego Armando Maradona – Average attendance: 45,085

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Capacity: 54,726

28 PSG – Parc des Princes – Average attendance: 46,406

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Capacity: 49,691

27 Glasgow Rangers – Ibrox Stadium – Average Attendance: 47,405

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Capacity: 50,987

26 1. FC Köln – RheinEnergieSTADION – average attendance: 48,924

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Capacity: 50,000

25 Real Betis – Benito Villamarín – Average attendance: 49,297

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Capacity: 59,378

24 Eintracht Frankfurt – Deutsche Bank Park – average attendance: 49,863

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Capacity: 51,500

23 Hertha BSC – Olympiastadion Berlin – average attendance: 50,200

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Capacity: 74,649

22 West Ham – London Stadium – Average attendance: 51,672

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Capacity: 62,500

21 Newcastle United – St James’ Park – Average attendance: 52,145

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Capacity: 52,338

20 Manchester City – Etihad Stadium – Average attendance: 52,381

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Capacity: 55,017

19 Hamburger SV – Volksparkstadion – average attendance: 52,465

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Capacity: 57,000

18 Gladbach – Stadium in Borussia Park – average attendance: 52,479

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Capacity: 54,042

17 Liverpool FC – Anfield – Average attendance: 52,816

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Capacity: 54,074

16 Ajax Amsterdam – Johan Cruijff ArenA – Average attendance: 53,323

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Capacity: 55,600

15 Benfica – Estádio da Luz – Average attendance: 56,008

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Capacity: 65,000

14 Celtic Glasgow – Celtic Park – Average attendance: 56,513

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Capacity: 60,832

13 Atlético Madrid – Civitas Metropolitano – Average attendance: 56,686

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Capacity: 68,456

12 Real Madrid – Santiago Bernabéu – Average attendance: 57,794

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Capacity: 81,044

Due to renovation work, the entire capacity was not available throughout the season

11 Olympique Marseille – Orange Vélodrome – Average attendance: 59,011

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Capacity: 67,394

10 Arsenal FC – Emirates Stadium – Average attendance: 59,072

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Capacity: 60,704

9 Tottenham – Tottenham Hotspur Stadium – Average attendance: 60,830

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Capacity: 62,062

8 Schalke 04 – Veltins Arena – average attendance: 60,980

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Capacity: 62,271

7 Roma – Olimpico di Roma – Average attendance: 61,621

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Capacity: 73,261

6 Inter Milan – San Siro – Average attendance: 69,238

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Capacity: 75,923

5 AC Milan – San Siro – Average attendance: 71,174

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Capacity: 75,923

4 Man United v Old Trafford – Average attendance: 73,191

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Capacity: 74,879

3 Bayern Munich – Allianz Arena – average attendance: 75,005

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Capacity: 75,024

2 Borussia Dortmund – Signal Iduna park – Average attendance: 80,507

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Capacity: 81,365

1 FC Barcelona – Spotify Camp Nou – Average attendance: 82,375

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Capacity: 99,354

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