Football agents' rules may fall under antitrust carve-out, top EU court rules
By Lewis Crofts ( July 9, 2026, 08:37 GMT | Insight) -- Football’s governing body in Germany may be able to benefit from an antitrust exemption for restrictions on agents’ activities even though those businesses stand outside their membership, the EU's highest court has ruled. The Court of Justice judges said the German Football Association’s curbs on fees and conflicts of interest could be justified under competition law, if they pursue a “legitimate objective in the public interest.” But it is up to a German court to assess that.Football’s governing body in Germany may be able to benefit from an antitrust exemption for restrictions on agents’ activities even though those businesses stand outside their membership, the EU's top court has ruled....
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