A vital FIFA agents' exam in Birmingham last week has been described as a farce – with livelihoods put at risk.
The FA offered an apology over the FIFA agents' exam at Birmingham's National Exhibition Centre after WiFi issues and random tannoy announcements cut into the time given to entrants, with the exam pass mark at 75%.
The test, which needs to be passed by agents if they are to continue in their roles past October, was sat by 700 candidates after 48% of 3800 failed at London's ExCel Arena in April.
READ MORE: FIFA agents exam 'turns chaotic' over lack of WiFi and candidates using phones
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Some candidates were then permitted to use their own phones to access WiFi to raise questions of integrity, with many left with no idea how well they had done.
Some agents with seven minutes to answer the final six questions of the exam, all while random PA announcements provided an unwelcome distraction – as explained by someone who took the test.
Anonymously speaking to Daily Star Sport, the agent said: "700 people there taking the exam all of which were hampered significantly in one way or another.
"The test is stringent enough as it requires a 75% pass rate which is more than any other exam I’ve ever done in my degree or finals or for anything I’ve qualified for in the past and to do the exam in those circumstances was abysmal.
"FIFA have a lot to answer for with the rule changes themselves and the exam requirements itself but obviously the FA too for not choosing a suitable venue."
The FA had organised the FIFA exam at the National Exhibition Centre in Birmingham but the facilities weren't up to scratch.
The agent added: "My WiFi went off six times in the hour and lost countless minutes reconnecting and it went off again about 5 minutes from the end preventing me checking and amending answers as I would have wished.
"I have no idea what answers were recorded in the end or whether I’ve passed or failed to be honest.
"Legal action must follow if me or anyone is prevented from carrying on representing their clients after this farce. People will potentially lose their livelihoods over this."
A FIFA spokesperson swiftly responded to state that the governing body were aware of the technical issues and are planning for re-sits – while pointing out that implementation of each exam is sorted by The FA.
A spokesperson for the FA then said: "Technical issues were experienced today during the sitting of the FIFA football agent exam, and some of the candidates were unable to complete the exam in time.
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"We are working with FIFA to agree next steps and we apologise to candidates who were affected by these technical challenges."
FIFA's new agent path sees candidates sit the 60-minute exam should they meet eligibility requirements, with a pass allowing them to pay the annual licence fee of £490.
It was estimated that between 6000 and 7000 agents were working in the UK back in 2018, with that number now far higher but requirements stricter.
Agents work throughout the football pyramid to organise contracts, sponsorships and transfers for their players, will millions on offer to those at the highest level.
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