England’s footballers have turned to the PFA to negotiate new commercial rights deals… after Gareth Southgate sacked Terry Byrne following revelations the agent owed him a six-figure sum.
- PFA will help negotiate how players like Harry Kane work with sponsors
- Terry Byrne had previously handled England’s trade arrangements
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The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) is helping the English team with commercial rights after the group split from former agent Gareth Southgate.
Terry Byrne, sacked by Southgate following Mail Sport revelations that the national team manager was owed a six-figure sum following a disastrous property deal, had looked after the Three Lions since 2006.
Now, Mail Sport can now reveal that with Byrne – a former England masseur who worked for David Beckham – embroiled in significant financial problems, the team have instead turned to the PFA to manage their collective bonuses.
Last week, senior union officials traveled to Germany to speak with players’ families.
The agreement means the PFA will work closely to reach agreements over the time Harry Kane and his colleagues will spend with the FA’s official sponsors.
The Professional Footballers’ Association (PFA) helps England players negotiate new commercial rights
It came after Gareth Southgate sacked his agent Tery Byrne (left) after it was revealed he owed the England manager a six-figure sum.
Gareth Southgate’s side (pictured) are currently preparing to face Slovenia in their final Euro 2024 group match.
The union’s legal team will help the team negotiate a contract with the FA, which is renewed for each major tournament cycle.
This is seen as a significant show of confidence in the PFA, which could well help other teams in times of need.
In November, Mail Sport revealed that Byrne owed Southgate a six-figure sum following the purchase of a £25 million building in central London.
Money owed to other former England players Joe Cole and Glenn Hoddle was also invested without their permission.
Byrne said he was adamant the money would be returned. However, in February this newspaper reported that Southgate had severed ties with Byrne, dramatically ending an eight-year working relationship which began when Southgate was in charge of England Under-21s.
The agreement means the PFA will work closely to reach agreements on the time players spend with sponsors.
Byrne handled the national team’s commercial rights through 1966 Entertainment from 2006 until December.
According to Companies House, agency 10Ten Talent appointed a liquidator in April.
