• preventing dual representation (agents acting for a club and a player in the same transfer)
  • requiring clubs to deal with the player's agent (ensures clubs do not insert their own agent into a deal)
  • requiring overseas agents operating in England to register with The FA to bring them under its jurisdiction
  • also bringing exempt persons (lawyers, immediate family members) under The FA's jurisdiction
  • prohibiting sub-contracting agency activities to unlicensed agents
  • preventing agents from acting for a club in a transaction if they have acted for the player in any capacity in the preceding three years (prevents agents switching to get paid by a club)
  • preventing an agent from acting for more than one club with respect to transactions involving the same player (prevents agents from "shadow representing" a player)
  • prohibiting agents owning interests in players
  • specifying that payments to agents may be made by club but only as deduction from salary and only in line with player/agent contract

The Council decided that the new regulations will be come into force in time for the 2007 summer transfer window, subject to FIFA approval. This will allow The FA, with the assistance of the leagues, to implement a programme of communication and education involving clubs, players and agents to guide participants through the extensive changes which build upon the existing domestic regulations which were first introduced in January this year.

The Council also approved new Doping Regulations which bring English football into line with the WADA Code and which will come into force in January 2007. Under the new regulations, minimum two-year suspensions will be imposed for testing positive for prohibited substances on the WADA list, with permanent suspension for a repeat offence.

In line with WADA, the period of suspension may be reduced if the player can show that there was no fault/no significant fault on their part (e.g. contaminated substance) but the onus is firmly on the player to provide firm evidence and such cases are exceptional. In addition, sanctions can also be reduced in the case of Specified Substances as defined by WADA (e.g. cannabis, ephedrine), which are prohibited in-competition but are susceptible to unintentional doping offences because of their general availability in medicinal products or because they are unlikely to enhance performance. Again, the onus is on the player to show that the substance was not intended to aid sporting performance. In-competition testing in football is defined as match-day testing.

The FA will also continue with its out-of-competition Social Drugs programme, which goes beyond the scope of WADA.

Last season over 1700 tests were carried out by The FA, by far the most comprehensive testing programme in British sport. The tests are allied to extensive drug and alcohol education and awareness activities.