Just how much should the wages of players like Paris Saint-Germain's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic be taxed in France?
Taxing question —
Just how much should the wages of players like Paris Saint-Germain's Swedish forward Zlatan Ibrahimovic be taxed in France?
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A lot, believes French president Francois Hollande. On Thursday he told football club leaders that he won't budge on plans for a 75% tax on salaries in excess of $1.35 million.
Hollande's pledge —
A lot, believes French president Francois Hollande. On Thursday he told football club leaders that he won't budge on plans for a 75% tax on salaries in excess of $1.35 million.
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French champions Paris Saint-Germain are set to feel the pinch as it would have to pay an extra $11.7m per year just for Ibrahimovic
Out of pocket —
French champions Paris Saint-Germain are set to feel the pinch as it would have to pay an extra $11.7m per year just for Ibrahimovic
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The tax rate would inhibit the ability of PSG and other French clubs to attract star players like Ibrahimovic and the pictured Edinson Cavani, who left Napoli to join the Parisian team in July.
Spending spree —
The tax rate would inhibit the ability of PSG and other French clubs to attract star players like Ibrahimovic and the pictured Edinson Cavani, who left Napoli to join the Parisian team in July.
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Nasser Al-Khelaifi is the president of PSG, a club which was taken over by the Qatar Investment Authority in 2011. Khelaifi has overseen a massive recruitment drive, with PSG splashing out huge transfer fees in order to attract the best players in the world. The 75% tax rate is at least 20-30% higher than anywhere else in Europe.
Qatari influence —
Nasser Al-Khelaifi is the president of PSG, a club which was taken over by the Qatar Investment Authority in 2011. Khelaifi has overseen a massive recruitment drive, with PSG splashing out huge transfer fees in order to attract the best players in the world. The 75% tax rate is at least 20-30% higher than anywhere else in Europe.
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The new tax laws would not effect Monaco, giving the principality's football team an advantage over its Ligue 1 rivals.
Tax haven —
The new tax laws would not effect Monaco, giving the principality's football team an advantage over its Ligue 1 rivals.
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Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev bought a controlling stake in the club in 2011 and, like his Qatari counterparts in Paris, set about signing expensive players on big contracts. Crucially, the 75% law would make Monaco's yearly taxation expenditure $67 million less than that of PSG.
Rybolovlev's roubles —
Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev bought a controlling stake in the club in 2011 and, like his Qatari counterparts in Paris, set about signing expensive players on big contracts. Crucially, the 75% law would make Monaco's yearly taxation expenditure $67 million less than that of PSG.
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Colombian striker Radamel Falcao is one of the raft of world class players who have been drawn to the tax-free life in Monaco.
Living the life —
Colombian striker Radamel Falcao is one of the raft of world class players who have been drawn to the tax-free life in Monaco.
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The proposed 75% tax has prompted the Professional Union of Football Clubs to announce it intends to strike, boycotting all matches in France's top two divisions scheduled between November 29-December 2. The strike is not universally backed though, with Evian manager Pascal Dupraz saying footballers and football clubs are not exempt from paying taxes.
Taxing times —
The proposed 75% tax has prompted the Professional Union of Football Clubs to announce it intends to strike, boycotting all matches in France's top two divisions scheduled between November 29-December 2. The strike is not universally backed though, with Evian manager Pascal Dupraz saying footballers and football clubs are not exempt from paying taxes.
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Tor Kristian-Karlsen, pictured here on the right unveiling manager Claudio Ranieri, is the former chief executive of Monaco. He is confident that, even if the 75% rule comes into force, it will not adversely effect the French national team. "The best players will always go abroad," he told CNN. "You already have French players in Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. An exodus of French players will not have an impact on the international team."
Talent drain? —
Tor Kristian-Karlsen, pictured here on the right unveiling manager Claudio Ranieri, is the former chief executive of Monaco. He is confident that, even if the 75% rule comes into force, it will not adversely effect the French national team. "The best players will always go abroad," he told CNN. "You already have French players in Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. An exodus of French players will not have an impact on the international team."
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