Agents believe they have come up with a “cheat” for a new FIFA exam.
Football’s world governing body has ordered agents to take a new test to be registered with the first sitting held on Wednesday. It is designed to be part of a major new crackdown on agents but Mirror Sport has been told that candidates have found a way to cheat the system in the hour-long exam.
FIFA has issued a 528 page document for candidates to study before sitting the hour long exam which features 20 multiple choice questions. They are allowed to take electronic reading material into the exam but will not be allowed to use wifi to look up the answers.
However, one leading and long established agent - who is already qualified and therefore does not need to sit the exam again - says lawyers have been advising candidates there is an easy way to pass. They can just use “Control + F” function on any keyboard and look up the answers with the information already stored in their laptop or iPad.
Agents have got reservations about the new FIFA licensing system such as restrictions over what they can earn and strict rules on dual representation. But many long established agents - who qualify under the “legacy” system - believe it is a good idea to weed out unscrupulous go-betweens .
They also get rid of family members which has become a growing trend for big name players. But they also do not want candidates to trick the system by cheating in the exam.
One established agent said: “The first exam is on Wednesday so I’m sure a lot of unscrupulous agents will slip through the net.”
However, FIFA insist that it is an “open book” exam and the rules mean there will not be any cheating. They did admit candidates can look up answers but they will still have to interpret rules and there will be no easy solutions.
They will also have Invigilators to oversee exam sessions and the rules state: “confirmed candidates shall act honestly in accordance with the generally accepted principles of academic, professional and personal integrity.”
