CHRIS LAKEY Canaries chief executive Neil Doncaster has backed move by the Football League aimed at clearing the picture over agents' roles in player transfers.

CHRIS LAKEY

Canaries chief executive Neil Doncaster has backed move by the Football League aimed at clearing the picture over agents' roles in player transfers.

The League plan to introduce new regulations prohibiting "dual representation" by agents in transfers - the practice whereby an agent represents more than one party in negotiations.

At the annual general meeting of Football League chairmen, held in Portugal, new restrictions were also placed on circumstances in which clubs are permitted to pay agents.

In future, players will be responsible for paying their own agents, who will also need a formal agreement to represent their players.

Clubs employing agents will be required to have similar arrangements in place.

Doncaster attended the annual meeting and said the new regulations would be for the benefit of football.

"It's another progressive move and sets out our stall in that we want everything to be whiter than white," he told the club's web site.

"I think it shows that we want to be transparent and open in all our dealings and want those we are dealing with to be the same."

Football League chairman Lord Mawhinney added: "Two years ago we committed ourselves to being the only set of clubs in world football that publish our spending on agents' fees.

"Today, we have taken another considerable step forward. These changes will bring a much greater level of integrity to transfer negotiations.

"By outlawing dual representation and giving greater clarity to the circumstances in which clubs can pay agents we have made a major contribution to restoring a fair balance to the relationship between clubs, players and their agents.

"I commend club chairmen for taking this lead and hope other football authorities will choose to follow our example."

Additionally, clubs have voted for the League to establish a Register of Interests, in which club officials must disclose to the League any interest or influence they have in the business of an agent.