The Impact of Football Agents on Transfer Economics in Thailand

Abstract

This article aims to 1) study the economic impact of football agents on transfers and player salaries in Thailand, and 2) examine the effectiveness of current regulations (FIFA regulations and local Thai laws) in managing the operations of football agents in Thailand. The research employs a qualitative methodology, using the concept of governance and ethics in sports as the theoretical framework. The study area includes football clubs in the Thai League and the Football Association of Thailand. The sample group consists of football agents, professional football players, club managers, and legal officers, totaling 60 participants, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments used are two methods: 1) in-depth interviews (In-depth Interview) and 2) document analysis (Document Analysis). Qualitative data were analyzed using content analysis (Content Analysis) and presented descriptively. Research Findings 1. Economic Impact: Football agents play a crucial role in increasing transfer fees and player salaries, contributing positively to the economic value of the market. However, this also creates financial pressure on clubs, particularly smaller ones. 2. Regulatory Challenges: FIFA's regulations (FFAR) and Thailand's domestic laws face enforcement challenges, such as the setting of commission caps and monitoring of agents' activities. This leads to rule circumvention and a lack of transparency.
3. Transparency and Standards: The lack of transparency and operational standards among agents, including the exploitation of youth players and the concealment of commission fees, negatively impacts trust in the transfer market.