Kia Joorabchian has worked up quite a charge sheet during a career in football still to enter its second decade. He has been accused of using Corinthians as a money laundering vehicle by a Brazilian judge as he presided over a season that ended with the relegation of Sao Paulo's best supported club.
He has imported third-party ownership to the Premier League, costing West Ham United tens of millions of pounds in fines and compensation, while forcing the organising body to rewrite its rule book. Ultimately, West Ham were also relegated.
And he has advised Carlos Tevez to attempt a forced exit from one of the most lucrative contracts in the history of the English game that has involved disobeying his manager's instructions, refusing to warm-up for a Champions League match, skipping training, and holidaying in South America without leave of absence.
His behaviour furthers complaints over the malign influence of football agents. Technically, of course, Joorabchian isn't one. He has never passed the exams required for a football association to formally license him for agency work, and instead employs a common tactic to bypass their regulations - working in tandem with licensed agents and lawyers.
Joorabchian and Tevez are friends and his stewardship of the striker's career has delivered huge financial reward.
Tendering Tevez to the highest bidder at the end of a title-laden loan spell at Manchester United delivered a contract with Manchester City that could have been even more rewarding if loyalty bonuses had not been forfeited by pushing for a transfer.
Yet, maximising a client's salary (and their personal commissions) is not necessarily the guiding principle for a football agent. The good ones - and they are more numerous than popular perception would imply - respect the needs of a footballer's employers, look after their players' personal lives, and are intelligent enough to realise that short-term financial gain is often the wrong path to follow.
It is no coincidence Jorge Mendes's client list includes Jose Mourinho, one of best managers in the game, and Cristiano Ronaldo, its most complete forward. One story captures how he works.
In 2009, Barcelona offered Nani a way out of a trying two-year introduction to English football. Sparingly used at United, the move was tempting.
Mendes persuaded Nani that if he left Old Trafford then he would be seen as a failure. Sir Alex Ferguson believed in him. Better to give United another season, follow the manager's guidance and succeed there first. By the following March, Nani had established himself at United, receiving a new contract. The next season he was United's footballer of the year.
Player, club and fans all benefited. Because Nani had the right adviser.
Ten tax points to be aware of in 2026
1. Domestic VAT refund amendments: request your refund within five years
If a business does not apply for the refund on time, they lose their credit.
2. E-invoicing in the UAE
Businesses should continue preparing for the implementation of e-invoicing in the UAE, with 2026 a preparation and transition period ahead of phased mandatory adoption.
3. More tax audits
Tax authorities are increasingly using data already available across multiple filings to identify audit risks.
4. More beneficial VAT and excise tax penalty regime
Tax disputes are expected to become more frequent and more structured, with clearer administrative objection and appeal processes. The UAE has adopted a new penalty regime for VAT and excise disputes, which now mirrors the penalty regime for corporate tax.
5. Greater emphasis on statutory audit
There is a greater need for the accuracy of financial statements. The International Financial Reporting Standards standards need to be strictly adhered to and, as a result, the quality of the audits will need to increase.
6. Further transfer pricing enforcement
Transfer pricing enforcement, which refers to the practice of establishing prices for internal transactions between related entities, is expected to broaden in scope. The UAE will shortly open the possibility to negotiate advance pricing agreements, or essentially rulings for transfer pricing purposes.
7. Limited time periods for audits
Recent amendments also introduce a default five-year limitation period for tax audits and assessments, subject to specific statutory exceptions. While the standard audit and assessment period is five years, this may be extended to up to 15 years in cases involving fraud or tax evasion.
8. Pillar 2 implementation
Many multinational groups will begin to feel the practical effect of the Domestic Minimum Top-Up Tax (DMTT), the UAE's implementation of the OECD’s global minimum tax under Pillar 2. While the rules apply for financial years starting on or after January 1, 2025, it is 2026 that marks the transition to an operational phase.
9. Reduced compliance obligations for imported goods and services
Businesses that apply the reverse-charge mechanism for VAT purposes in the UAE may benefit from reduced compliance obligations.
10. Substance and CbC reporting focus
Tax authorities are expected to continue strengthening the enforcement of economic substance and Country-by-Country (CbC) reporting frameworks. In the UAE, these regimes are increasingly being used as risk-assessment tools, providing tax authorities with a comprehensive view of multinational groups’ global footprints and enabling them to assess whether profits are aligned with real economic activity.
Contributed by Thomas Vanhee and Hend Rashwan, Aurifer
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Our legal consultant
Name: Hassan Mohsen Elhais
Position: legal consultant with Al Rowaad Advocates and Legal Consultants.
UAE v Gibraltar
What: International friendly
When: 7pm kick off
Where: Rugby Park, Dubai Sports City
Admission: Free
Online: The match will be broadcast live on Dubai Exiles’ Facebook page
UAE squad: Lucas Waddington (Dubai Exiles), Gio Fourie (Exiles), Craig Nutt (Abu Dhabi Harlequins), Phil Brady (Harlequins), Daniel Perry (Dubai Hurricanes), Esekaia Dranibota (Harlequins), Matt Mills (Exiles), Jaen Botes (Exiles), Kristian Stinson (Exiles), Murray Reason (Abu Dhabi Saracens), Dave Knight (Hurricanes), Ross Samson (Jebel Ali Dragons), DuRandt Gerber (Exiles), Saki Naisau (Dragons), Andrew Powell (Hurricanes), Emosi Vacanau (Harlequins), Niko Volavola (Dragons), Matt Richards (Dragons), Luke Stevenson (Harlequins), Josh Ives (Dubai Sports City Eagles), Sean Stevens (Saracens), Thinus Steyn (Exiles)
MOUNTAINHEAD REVIEW
Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman
Director: Jesse Armstrong
Rating: 3.5/5
Sholto Byrnes on Myanmar politics
COMPANY%20PROFILE
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