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Tax hike angers Italian footballers

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Submitted by WG on Thu, 18/08/2011 - 11:09

Italian footballers are up in arms about a new 'solidarity tax' imposed on those earning more than €150,000 a year as part of the Government's austerity package.   The start of Serie A on August 27th is already threatened by a contract dispute.


According to the Gazetta dello Sport the move could cost top clubs €50m each.   Most top players, especially foreign stars, negotiate their net income upon joining a team, and it's then up to the club to handle their fiscal obligations. This was allowed under the old collective agreement, but the new one - yet to be signed - does away with this option, leaving it up to the players alone to pay their taxes, Gazzetta reported.


The players' protests have received a robust reply from the Government.  'If they continue to threaten strikes or retaliation, I'll propose that football players pay a double extra tax,' Roberto Calderoli, minister for legislative simplification, told La Repubblica.