Among all the professions that revolve around football, the profession of player agent is one of those that arouse the most interest. But, like a career as a pro footballer, there are many candidates for few elected. The agent license is an almost indispensable element to advise players and represent them with pro clubs. Access to the exam for the sports license is open to everyone, provided they bring the few supporting documents necessary for the registration fee of 300 euros, from the French Football Federation (FFF). To this must be added a check for 1000 euros for the application for establishment in France, or 500 euros for a request for service in case of occasional exercise.
The exam requires a solid knowledge of law. Last April, during the last session, there were 64 receipts for 700 applicants. But five failed decided to appeal to the FFF. After receiving the corrections of the 3 training schools for the agent license, the five failed realize that they have ticked the correct answer (the E) to the 10th question while the corrector considered that the answer C was the correct one. The question was about a possible suspension of a player in a specific context.
The consequences are unfortunate for the 5 rejects. Instead of collecting the score of 14 out of 20, necessary for graduation, they obtained only a crippling 13 out of 20. They then decided to make a first appeal to the Federal Commission of Sports Agents. But they get no answer. One of them decided to call on Thierry Braillard, the former Secretary of State for Sports (between 2014 and 2017).
"If we made a mistake, we make amends," says the FFF
"This story is nonsense. We are sure that answer E is the right one. The revision program set by the FFF and the corrected of the 3 training schools say that the correct answer is the E and not the C. And behind it we hit a wall. We are told, "Your challenge is not possible." That's where we are," says Thierry Braillard.
"My client is circumspect and annoyed," adds the lawyer. The worst thing is not having an explanation. Why is answer E wrong when everyone says it was right? The FFF was once again used to reconvene the jury. I also appealed to the Administrative Court of Paris. »
The former Secretary of State continues: "I hope that the Federal Agents Commission will reconsider its position and it has done so in the past. Error is human. If tomorrow the commission considers that it was wrong and accepts answer E, we will withdraw our application to the court. We hope that intelligence will prevail in this story. »
Contacted, the FFF replied through its deputy director general. "At each exam, we always have challenges from people who are missing a point and who consider that they should have the exam," says Jean Lapeyre. Sometimes we recognize right away and neutralize the question. We are very open. If it is obvious and we have made a mistake, we make amends and we give the point. We'il see. If the commission feels that it has any doubt, it will give the point and the license to the people. If she has no doubt, she will refuse the non-contentious appeal and this case will end up in the courts. »
