Raul backs tax hike for foreigners
Reuters - Thursday 05 November 2009, 14:48
MADRID - Real Madrid captain Raul has
backed a planned government tax hike for top-earning foreigners
that has prompted a threat of strike action by Spain's
professional football league (LFP).
The measure, which needs parliamentary approval and will
take effect at the beginning of next year, will raise taxes for
foreigners who earn above 600,000 euros a year to 43
percent from 24 percent.
"I think that we all should be playing by the same rules,"
striker Raul said at a news conference on Thursday. "Let's see
if (the tax change) is approved."
The LFP have called a meeting for Friday to discuss their
response to the change in the so-called "Beckham Law," named
after the England midfielder and former Real player.
The law was approved in 2002 to make hiring foreign
high-earners easier and Spain more attractive to the specially
qualified or skilled.
The proposed new rules have split Spanish football, with some
clubs, coaches and players and the LFP condemning them and
others saying everyone should be treated equally.
Barcelona president Joan Laporta on Wednesday said the
government's move would damage Spanish football and make foreign
players think twice before coming to la Liga.
The new rules will not affect players already in Spain such
as Real's Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka or Barcelona's Zlatan
Ibrahimovic and Lionel Messi.