- The FA facilitates examinations of agents in the country on behalf of FIFA
- The assessment has been plagued by teething problems since its introduction.
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The FA has faced fresh criticism over its handling of the vetting of new Fifa agents and intermediaries are concerned their livelihoods are being put at risk.
Several officers feared their chances of getting a pass were hampered by intermittent Wi-Fi when they took the 20-question digital paper at Wembley Stadium on May 22.
There have also been suggestions that some officers at the national stadium were openly using their phones while the hour-long examination was taking place.
Since FIFA introduced the evaluation last year, it has been plagued by teething problems. As agents needed a pass to take part in contract and transfer negotiations, those who attended the first session, in London 13 months ago, faced long delays upon arrival, and the second, in Birmingham last September, was described as “chaotic” amid accusations of weak internet and annoying public hallway announcements.
The FA, which facilitates the exam in this country on behalf of FIFA, is now being examined for the third such exam at Wembley last week. One intermediary, who has worked with several players, told Mail Sport: “It was a nightmare. Our livelihood depends on passing this test and getting the licence.
Several agents fear that their chances of getting the pass have been hampered by Wi-Fi problems.
Agents faced long delays arriving for the first test at London’s ExCel Arena last year.
Agents must pass exams to participate in contract and transfer negotiations (pictured at ExCel last year)
‘My Wi-Fi crashed four times during the exam and you’re panicking and rushing to finish the exam. It shouldn’t be that hard to get this right, but it was a little ridiculous.
‘A lot of us were on that boat and saying the same thing when we finished. If you fail, it will take about six months until you can try again, so it’s very important.
‘The other thing was that people were using their phones – they were pinging everywhere and one guy even took a call. It’s supposed to be an exam.
‘I paid £300 to take the exam and then spent on hotel and travel to get there. You want to give it a fair try, but how to do it if the Wi-Fi keeps crashing?
The FA says that of around 750 candidates at Wembley, only a handful complained to their supervisors about the intermittent Wi-Fi connection. FIFA has been contacted for comment.
