FIFA urged to ban third-party ownership

FIFA said its football committee, chaired by UEFA President Michel Platini, requested "a mandatory regulation to prohibit third-party ownership in football in general".

FIFA plans to submit a proposal to the panel's next meeting early next year.

The committee also called for "international standards with precise rules and regulations" to control agents' conduct.

Third-party ownership allows agents to buy a stake in a player from his club and cash in when future transfer fees are paid.

The practice is banned in some countries, including England and France, but has been exploited by agents and clubs in countries such as Portugal to bring players from South America.

UEFA acted against third-party ownership this year by prohibiting clubs which sold stakes in their players from booking the profits toward meeting "Financial Fair Play" rules.

The chief executive of England's Premier League, Richard Scudamore, is a member of the committee which is urging strong action.

Platini's group also includes former German greats Franz Beckenbauer, Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Steffi Jones, plus George Weah of Liberia and Kalusha Bwalya, now president of the Zambia football association.

"I am very proud to chair this prestigious committee," Platini said in a statement. "The discussions we had today highlighted the competence of these members to address and effectively tackle crucial areas that impact football."

FIFA's football committee has been given greater authority to propose changes after taking on the work of the disbanded Task Force Football 2014 group, which Beckenbauer led.