Is this the end for French football on a European Scale?

[Invisible Man Fan]

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-25541739

France's highest court has approved a 75% tax on high earners that is one of President Francois Hollande's signature policies.

The initial proposal to tax individual incomes was ruled unconstitutional by the Constitutional Council almost exactly one year ago.

But the government modified it to make employers liable for the 75% tax on salaries exceeding 1m euros (£830,000).

The levy will last two years, affecting income earned this year and in 2014.

Football clubs in France threatened to go on strike earlier this year over the issue, saying many of France's clubs are financially fragile and say the plans could spark an exodus of top players who are paid huge salaries.

The Qatari-owned Paris Saint-Germain has more than 10 players whose pay exceeds 1m euros, including the Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

There has also been a chorus of protest from businesses and wealthy individuals who have condemned the tax - including film star Gerard Depardieu, who left the country in protest.

Polls suggest a large majority in France back the temporary tax.

Unlike many other countries in Europe, France aims to bring down its huge public deficit by raising taxes as well as some spending cuts.

The highest tax rate in the UK is 45% and is applied to individuals.



Seems as though this will hit the clubs pretty hard, and they won't be able to afford top wages for top players. I hope our government doesn't follow suit with this, we would lose all of our first team, and lose anyone that comes from the new academy who wants to earn a top wage.

What is it with French cocks messing with football???

[Mikhail Chigorin]

I suppose if you were to objectively consider and debate all the relevant merits and drawbacks of this aspect of French fiscal policy, it would mean this thread might have to be transferred to the 'Other Topics' category.

However, in a purely footballing sense, no doubt Arsene Whinger is gleefully monitoring developments and the putative chance to get his hands on some more French players, without spending much on them, no doubt, unless Newcastle have something to say about it.

[Slim]

Does this apply to Monaco as well?

[Twobob]

Does this apply to Monaco as well?

Wherent the rest of the French teams trying to make it law that for Monaco to be in the same league as them they had to be subjected to the same tax laws - obviously in anticipation of this being passed - not sure they got anywhere though.

[JamieMCFC]

What is it with French cocks messing with football???

They are not targeting football.

[Invisible Man Fan]

What is it with French cocks messing with football???

They are not targeting football.

Not directly, but it will have an affect on their national league

[LookMumImOnMCF.net]

Not directly, but it will have an affect on their national league

Surely you have to support a government willing to address the national deficit rather than keep a few well paid millionaires happy?

[Blue Since 76]

There has also been a chorus of protest from businesses and wealthy individuals who have condemned the tax - including film star Gerard Depardieu, who left the country in protest.

If Gerry earns more than €1m a year, it tells you everything you need to know about the state of France.

[zuricity]

If Gerry earns more than €1m a year, it tells you everything you need to know about the state of France.

Gerard is a somewhat special case. His Company received many millions in government subsidies to produce French films .

I don't understand the problem. So footballers stop playing around 34-35. ( i know , i know not at the swamp).

They have funds and a good pension to help them do something else.

What about the average joe that retrains at 34?

[DoomMerchant]

Not directly, but it will have an affect on their national league

Surely you have to support a government willing to address the national deficit rather than keep a few well paid millionaires happy?

agreed. It's an amazing, but short term thing in theory.

What normal person would think that about 100 millionaires are more important than the average Frenchy who's having their challenges?

French Revolution.

[JamieMCFC]

What is it with French cocks messing with football???

They are not targeting football.

Not directly, but it will have an affect on their national league

What's your point?

[DoomMerchant]

What is it with French cocks messing with football???

They are not targeting football.

Not directly, but it will have an affect on their national league

What's your point?

lemme translate:

All the millionaire footballers will unsettle for a move to where the money is or push for a trebling of their wages.

Russian league the big winner in all this if it happens, but just for a short while i think.

[Twobob]

I wonder if Spain are going to implement something similar ...

45% would seem attractive to Messi ;-)

[JamieMCFC]

What is it with French cocks messing with football???

They are not targeting football.

Not directly, but it will have an affect on their national league

What's your point?

lemme translate:

All the millionaire footballers will unsettle for a move to where the money is or push for a trebling of their wages.

Russian league the big winner in all this if it happens, but just for a short while i think.

Not what I was getting at. Why should there be an exception be made for football? Do you think the politicians that passed this law care about the sport?

[BlueinBosnia]

Not what I was getting at. Why should there be an exception be made for football? Do you think the politicians that passed this law care about the sport?

I think Spain has (or had?) an exemption for 'culturally significant' individuals to its 'super tax', and French clubs were angling for something similar.

[JamieMCFC]

Not what I was getting at. Why should there be an exception be made for football? Do you think the politicians that passed this law care about the sport?

I think Spain has (or had?) an exemption for 'culturally significant' individuals to its 'super tax', and French clubs were angling for something similar.

I know the clubs where trying too. But from what I read it was never going to happen. IIRC the tax exemption was for foreigners playing in Spain and that has ended.

[DoomMerchant]

Not what I was getting at. Why should there be an exception be made for football? Do you think the politicians that passed this law care about the sport?

What the fuck are you getting at then? They aren't making an exception.

[JamieMCFC]

Not what I was getting at. Why should there be an exception be made for football? Do you think the politicians that passed this law care about the sport?

What the fuck are you getting at then? They aren't making an exception.

I wasn't even talking to your bald ass. No shit they aren't making an exception. But the thread starter seems to think they should. Here's an idea stick to your non-witty comments.

Cheers

[john@staustell]

It's not just the end of French football it's also another nail in their economy. Classic old-fashioned socialism tried and failed many times. 'Lets tax the rich', they say, so all the rich bugger off, tax revenues shrink (always without fail) and there is no incentive for any entrepreneurial activity, reducing the prospect of employment and shrinking the economy even more.

Surprised there's still any dinosaur Marxixsts out there who believe in it - or is it ideology/populism over prioritised over sense and the economy?

[Tokyo Blue]

They'll all sod off for two years then come back when it is thrown out.

Fin.