The European Union (EU) has recently adopted a new Anti-Money Laundering Regulation (AMLR), which will include football agents and professional football clubs as obliged entities for anti-money laundering purposes starting from 10 July 2029. The EU Anti-Money Laundering Authority (AMLA) will issue relevant guidelines by 10 July 2026.
This regulation covers transactions involving investors, sponsors, agents, and player transfers. Recognising the high-risk nature of the football sector, the AMLR mandates rigorous anti-money laundering measures, including customer due diligence and robust internal controls. Member States can exempt smaller clubs based on their lower risk profile.
Professional football entities must adapt to these requirements, ensuring comprehensive risk assessments, monitoring, and compliance. This regulatory change aims to safeguard the football sector from illicit financial activities, with phased implementation providing a timeline for compliance.
An article authored by Michalis Loizou, Tax Consultant & Manager – Compliance Officer at Elias Neocleous & Co LLC covers this topic in more depth, offering valuable insights into the implications and necessary steps for compliance within the football industry.
The article can be viewed on Lexology and Mondaq.
For more information, please feel free to contact Michalis Loizou.
