French clubs agree to strike over tax increase

[WildestDreams]

French clubs agree to strike over tax increase

By Myfanwy Garman9
Oct 24, 2013 3:48:00 PM

Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 clubs will not play a round of fixtures at the end of November following a dispute over the government's decision to raise tax on players' salaries

French football clubs have agreed to go on strike in protest at the government’s decision to raise the tax on top-earning players to 75 per cent.

It is the first time a strike could happen in the French game in over 40 years and will affect the round of matches played over the weekend over November 30, including Paris Saint-Germain's home encounter with Olympique Lyonnais.

The president of the French professional clubs' union (UCPF), Jean-Pierre Louvel told L'Equipe: "There will be a weekend without a game at the end of the month [of November].

“We are facing a historical movement with a real determination to save football.”

Clubs are unhappy at Socialist President Francois Hollande's contentious 'super tax' initiative which could come into effect next year and will impose a tax of 75% on players earning more than €1 million per annum.

Companies will be forced to take on the extra tax rather than the individuals themselves, but there are concerns that this will put French clubs at a disadvantage when attempting to lure top players to the country as they will not be able to compete as ably financially as before.

Ligue 1 teams estimate that they would be left with a €44 million tax bill if the new legislation comes in. Monaco, though, would be exempt as they do not fall under France jurisdiction.