La Liga strikes back

David Beckham is causing quite a fuss in Spain at the moment. But for once it's neither his right boot or his extra-marital rendevous stirring up the media beehive. This time it's his law. Yes, for those who weren't aware, Beckham has his own law in Spain, and it involves a reduced rate of tax paid by foreigners relocating to Spain who happen to earn over 600,000 euros a year (23% instead of the general 43% for those poor spanish souls who earn similar amounts). Exact details can be found here: Beckham Law.

Mr Beckham came and went, but Kaká, Cristiano Ronaldo, Benzema, Alonso, Henry and Ibrahimovic (Did Dons Florentino and Laporta have anything to do with this I ask myself.... it's not as if politicans have been spotted in the presidential balconies...ahem) have all been attracted to the Iberian Peninsula by the draw of extra pennies in the kitty. But things are set to change; uncle crisis has come to town. The Spanish government, with their particular kitty having been bled dry many moons ago, are considering reversing the measure to rake in some much needed cash; cue chaotic scenes involving coffee cups and walls at La Liga HQ.

Economic arguments aside, it appears a reverting back to the old tax system for will strip La Liga of it's financial lure, something it was using to great effect in the battle against the Premiership. It has split opinion among the footballers and managers themselves. Deportivo La Coruña manager Miguel Lotina claims it is a necessary measure if La Liga wants to keep stars like Messi and Kaká; I´d beg to differ with that opinion, especially with Messi, as he´s been at Barca since he was 12 and is clearly not in it for the dollar. Getafe left-back Mané, a Spaniard, is in favour of the reversal, saying it's only fair Mr Foreigner is taxed the same as him.

I guess there are many ways of looking at it. Less foreign imports will mean more chances for youth players to break through. It could also mean reduced television revenues and less general interest in the league. It's also only fair that a spaniard and a foreigner playing the same game, in the same team, pay similar levels of tax. Joe public will also feel agrieved that in these tough times, CR9 jumps on the boat and pays the same proportion of income in tax than he does. Either way, the law will not be retrospective, so Ronaldo and friends can stop frantically stuffing 50 euros notes under their mattresses.

So as it is now, the LFP (Spanish League Association) have threatened a strike. Although technically a strike is forced by the workers, and giving that its the FA pushing this through I prefer to see it as 'Business Closed for the day'. It will all come to a climax on Nov 19th when the LFP meet with the government for some nice open dialogue. We await to see if something can be 'sorted out', nudge nudge, wink wink.

(Interesting snippet on the matter here from Anthony Wright at Goal.com)