The law of 3 August 2026 brings sweeping changes to the legal framework governing sports agents. A new professional card, tighter rules for scouts and business introducers, harsher penalties, and stronger protection for minor athletes: this major reform of the French Sports Code requires sports agents — and agent companies — to thoroughly review their practices and contracts.
As a sports law firm, we advise sports agents, agent companies, and their partners on compliance with these new legal obligations. Below is a full overview of the measures that directly concern you.
- Stricter access to the sports agent profession
The reform significantly changes the conditions for practicing as a sports agent:
- The sports agent licence is abolished and replaced by a professional card.
- Retaining this professional card is now conditional on completing initial and ongoing training, covering in particular professional ethics, the prevention of sexual and gender-based violence, and the fight against money laundering.
- Failure to comply with this training requirement may result in the suspension of the professional card.
- Greater transparency for sports agent companies
Sports agent companies will also need to adapt to a stricter governance and capital-ownership framework:
- As of 1 January 2028, a majority of the share capital and voting rights of agent companies must be held by individuals holding the professional card (Article L. 222-8 of the Sports Code).
- An upcoming decree will set the maximum number of agent companies a single agent may establish.
- A sports agent may henceforth be an employee of only one agent company.
- Strict oversight of scouts and business introducers
The reform clarifies the role and compensation of the various parties operating around a sports agent’s business:
- The involvement of scouts is now limited to prospecting and administrative support duties.
- Their compensation may be indexed to the deals completed by the agent, but only for a maximum period of three years (the precise starting point of this period has yet to be clarified).
- Compensation for business introducers is, in principle, prohibited, unless they themselves hold the professional card. In that case, their involvement must be formalized through a collaboration agreement, and may only relate to the athlete’s or coach’s first placement transaction.
- Tighter rules on representation agreements
Representation agreements entered into by sports agents are now subject to stricter oversight:
- Their duration is capped at three years, with sports federations retaining the ability to set a shorter maximum duration (Article L. 222-17 of the Sports Code).
- Several sports agents who cooperate in any way — particularly within the same agent company — may no longer act on behalf of more than one party across a set of contracts that leads, directly or indirectly, to the transfer of an athlete or coach from one club to another.
- Several agents belonging to the same company may no longer represent different parties in the same transfer transaction.
- Representation agreements and tripartite agreements must now inform the player or coach of the potential tax and social security consequences resulting from payment of the commission by the club.
- Should the FIFA regulation on agent commission caps come into force, the French Football Federation (FFF) will also be able to cap commission amounts at that same ceiling.
- Stronger protection for minor athletes
The reform substantially broadens the scope of protection for minors in sport:
- The ban on any compensation or consideration paid in connection with the conclusion of a contract involving a minor athlete is now extended to transfer transactions between clubs (Article L. 222-5 of the Sports Code).
- This ban continues to apply even if the athlete reaches the age of majority during the term of the contract.
- Significantly increased criminal penalties
The enforcement provisions of the reform mark a sharp tightening of the penalties applicable to sports agents:
- Unlawfully practicing as a sports agent — whether due to the absence of a professional card or a breach of the protective rules applicable to minors — is now punishable by five years’ imprisonment and a fine of €375,000, up from two years’ imprisonment and a €30,000 fine previously (Articles L. 222-6 and L. 222-20 of the Sports Code).
- The fine may still be increased to double the amount of sums wrongfully received.
- Breaches of the good character (fitness and probity) requirements are punishable by one year’s imprisonment and a fine of €15,000.
- The criminal record check for sports agents is now aligned with the mechanism set out in Article L. 212-9 of the Sports Code, enabling an automated, annual verification of convictions incompatible with practicing the profession (Article L. 222-11 of the Sports Code).
WHY WORK WITH A SPORTS LAW ATTORNEY?
This sports agent reform calls for genuine legal compliance efforts: revising agent company bylaws, updating representation agreements and tripartite agreements, securing relationships with scouts and business introducers, and preparing for the new training obligations.
Our sports law firm supports you with:
- a compliance audit of your activity as a sports agent in light of the new law;
- drafting and securing your representation agreements and tripartite agreements;
- structuring your sports agent company;
- defending your interests in any proceedings related to the unlawful practice of the sports agent profession.
Are you a sports agent or the head of an agent company looking to secure your business in light of this reform? Contact our sports law firm for tailored support.