Arshavin predicts tax exodus
442 Staff - Monday 19 October 2009, 15:09
Arsenal midfielder Andriy Arshavin says he expects a large number
of Premier League stars to abandon England in the near future, as the
tax band is almost twice as big as in Spain.
The diminutive Russian joined the Gunners in February from Zenit St
Petersburg and has made an explosive start to his Premier League
career, scoring six and setting up seven goals in 12 appearances last
season.
The 28-year-old's form has showed no signs of slowing so far in
2009/10, with the playmaker netting his fifth of the campaign during
Saturday's 3-1 victory over Birmingham City.
However, he expressed his concern earlier this year about the
exorbitant amount of his salary that was being lost through tax in the UK
compared to Russia.
And with a new 50 percent tax band set to take effect in the New Year,
he has warned that Premier League players will soon be lured to Spanish
shores for financial reasons, with the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo,
Kaka, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and David Villa paying almost half as much in
tax - 27 percent.
"The Premier League still has enough stars, like Rooney, Fabregas,
Adebayor and Tevez but next year players will leave England," he said
in The Telegraph.
"They will want to play in Spain because of the tax. For the Premier League that is not good."