No. An owner of a club may not obtain a licence to act as a Football Agent (cf. art. 11 par. 4 (b)).
An applicant to hold a licence (or a licence holder) may not be an official or employee of a club, nor is an applicant to hold a licence (or a licence holder) able to hold any Interest in a club. Regarding holding an Interest in a club, the prohibition applies regardless of whether the applicant to hold a licence (or the licence holder) owns a small or large percentage of the club.
However, there is no prohibition if an applicant (or a licence holder) holds “an ordinary and freely accessible non-transferrable personal membership entitling its owner to a single vote in club affairs”.
Examples:
- John Smith holds 5% of the available shares in City FC. He is not eligible to apply for a licence.
- John Smith is a licensed Football Agent, and he purchases a fourth division club affiliated to the football association in his country. He is no longer eligible to hold a licence and must immediately terminate or suspend his licence in accordance with the FFAR.
- City FC is a club established as an association. Its members are natural persons who purchase a membership on an annual basis. In exchange for their purchase, members are entitled to vote at the club general meeting with a single personal and non-transferable vote. John Smith is an ordinary member of City FC and may hold a Football Agent licence.
