Spanish League Could Strike Over Tax Hike Plans

Spanish football could grind to a halt after the league (LFP) stated it may go on strike over government plans to do away with tax breaks for foreign players.

The LFP have been angered by plans to see any non-Spanish persons earning over €600,000-a-year have their rate of tax go up from 24 per cent to 43 per cent starting in 2010.

While the move will not affect players already plying their trade in la Primera, there are concerns that it would dissuade the world's best players from moving to Spain.

Also being amended is the so-called 'Beckham Law' that was approved seven years ago to help attract highly skilled foreign workers to Spain.

While the LFP are angry about the idea, Barcelona president Joan Laporta also thinks that it would harm the game.

"This measure damages Spanish soccer," he was quoted as saying on the Blaugrana's official website.

"It would mean that talented players will think twice before coming to our league."

France is undergoing similar change with plans to scrap tax breaks for top athletes being met with objections across the board.

Spanish prime minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero told the media that the measures were designed to put everyone on a level playing field as the country tries to pull itself out of its difficult economic situation.