Why CAS Quashed the Suspension
- No international element – Beckett’s work concerned a purely domestic deal inside England. Under Article 21 FFAR, FIFA’s Disciplinary Committee only has jurisdiction over cases with an international dimension; purely national matters belong to the relevant member association (here, The English FA).
- Article 21 is itself suspended – Because ongoing legal challenges have frozen Article 21, FIFA currently has no functioning pathway to send any case—international or domestic—to its Disciplinary Committee. The General Secretariat therefore could start an investigation but could not lawfully impose, or even maintain, a suspension.
- Provisional became de facto final – CAS noted that with no competent body to hear the matter, Beckett’s “provisional” ban until January 2026 effectively became a final sanction without due process, which FFAR does not permit.
Given those faults, CAS upheld Beckett’s appeal and set the FIFA decision aside in full, reinstating his licence.
What This Means for Football Agents
- Regulatory gap – Until Article 21 is reinstated—or FIFA rewrites the rules—FIFA cannot discipline agents for most offences. Commentators have already dubbed the FFAR “toothless” in its present form. (The Agents Angle)
- National FAs step into the vacuum – Domestic associations (e.g., The FA) remain free to punish unlicensed activity under their own agent rules. Agents must now track two frameworks and be ready to litigate jurisdiction.
- Template for future appeals – Any agent hit by a FIFA level sanction that lacks an “international dimension” now has a clear precedent for overturning it at CAS.
- Uncertain timeline – FIFA told the panel it had “no clarity” on when the suspension of Article 21 will lift, leaving enforcement in limbo for at least another transfer window.
Practical Takeaways
- Domestic or International? : Before accepting work, confirm whether the matter is domestic or international—different regulators, different risks.
- Keep national paperwork current: A national registration or licence may be your only shield while FIFA’s framework is stalled.
- Document your role clearly: Beckett’s emails blurred the line between support work and full agent services; clear delegation letters could avoid similar disputes.
- Monitor FFAR litigation: Changes to Article 21 or a new interim regime could land suddenly; staying informed is now a competitive advantage.
For now, the CAS ruling shows that process errors can trump substance. Until FIFA patches its own rules, savvy agents—and their lawyers—hold the upper hand.
