Italian agent Giovanni Branchini has hit out at the culture inside Italian football and how young players are managed.
Branchini was responding to the father of Juventus midfielder Nicolo Fagioli blaming agents for his son being investigated for illegal betting by local prosecutors.
He told Il Giornale: “I could get by with the temptations of the modern world but instead we need to look reality in the face to understand.
“I observe reality by asking some questions: who allowed the profession of agents to appear characters without scruples or preparation, in many cases family members or fixers?
“Who hasn’t intervened to report footballers who even sell the power of attorney to agents? Who hasn’t intervened to prevent family members from collecting the commissions, a practice prohibited by the regulations?
“A capable agent, he must look after his clients, he must get to know their families, stick his nose into friendships and acquaintances and take care of his career rather than his rich salary. Ask yourself why in the last 30 years no other Totti has been born among us, another Pirlo, another Nesta. I know the reason: because the only objective is to participate in the division of the gigantic cake.”
Branchini continued: “Today the presidents have practically liquidated the figure of the sporting director: they do that job themselves, thinking they have gathered the necessary expertise.
“If they want to transfer a player or buy him, they don’t go through the sporting director, they go through the agent. And consequently the footballers who aim for big earnings and the most famous clubs turn to agents.”
On the families, he added: “An 18 year old boy, with a lot of money in his pocket, the supercar in the garage, the 100 thousand euro watch on his wrist, the private flight for travel and surrounded by beautiful girls, they think they’ve arrived.”
