The term “Interest” is used on various occasions in the FFAR, in particular in relation to the question of who may, or may not, hold an interest in a club, academy, league, Single-Entity League or in the affairs of a Football Agent or Agency.
An Interest is defined as:
- any beneficial ownership of a legal person through which the relevant activities of those entities are conducted, except an ordinary and freely accessible non-transferrable personal membership entitling its owner to a single vote in club affairs; and/or
- being in a position that may enable the exercise of a material, financial, commercial, administrative, managerial or any other influence over the affairs of a natural or legal person whether directly or indirectly and whether formally or informally.
The term has been defined to prevent conflicts of interest occurring where a Football Agent owns (or part owns) or controls a relevant legal person (e.g. a football agency, club, academy or company involved in sports betting). It should be read in conjunction with article 5 paragraphs 1 (a) (v) and 1 (d) (i), article 11 paragraph 4 and article 18 paragraph 2 (f) and (i).
At the same time, a Football Agent that is a member of a club in a member-owned club is not considered to hold an Interest in that club.
