FOOTBALL AGENT SERVICE IN THAILAND

Abstract

This qualitative study aimed to investigate the problems of football agents’ operation in Thailand, and study the guidelines for the service of football agents. An in-depth was conducted among the major informants who are 12 experienced football agents in Thailand.

The results of this study revealed that the service management of football agents in Thailand consisted of the agents who would present the ability of their football players, which is the basic for making a decision in signing with the football clubs. And other tasks of agents’ responsibility include taking care of transportation service, providing accommodation, supporting on the documents, financial consulting, career planning after canceling professional football playing, planning for marketing public relations to find the opportunity to be a product presenter, negotiating and discussing, coordinating the signing of contracts with the football clubs, suspending and mediating the disputes between football players and individuals.

Regarding the problems and obstacles in serving football players in Thailand, they consisted mostly of misinterpreting the roles of agents, experiencing the negative attitude of their service, contacting directly the football clubs or pursuing a special relationship with the coach, contract cancellation, outstanding remuneration, and document problems related to passport and work permit. The roles of agents should be proper advertised by the media as it should be. Therefore, some football clubs do not require any agents to be involved because of the limitation in contracts in rights dealt with football players’ images and the football club, the football club's deferment of the appointment or compensation payment, the unfair premature termination of football clubs’ contract, and irregular investigation from football associates and related persons on the agents’ legitimate. Also, some agents lacked the morality and working ethics which could defame image of the football society.

For the process of giving service from the agents in Thailand, they must have a team that could ensure the quality and adequate number of football players, follow a specific standard in admitting qualified young football players. They must establish a link in in schools which develop athletes as well as their academic skills. They must anticipate for possible problems in the club and have contingent plans, like adding a network of agents in football and building trust and good relationship with the club.

It is recommended that the Football Association of Thailand should have proper qualification, licensed or qualified, or experienced agents of football players in Thailand. The association of football, the media or the people involved should pay attention to the news broadcasting, and more publication to profession information. The agents should also promote the football players as a recognized profession of qualified football players.