The counter-offensive of major clubs regarding the decree on growth, to avoid a mass exodus of stars...

On April 10, 2024, at 14:41. A COUNTEROFFENSIVE BY MAJOR CLUBS AGAINST THE DEPARTURE OF STARS IN LIGHT OF THE NEW DECREE – ACTIVE DIALOGUES ARE UNDERWAY BETWEEN THE CLUBS' FINANCIAL SPECIALISTS AND SERIE A CONSULTANTS TO MAINTAIN BENEFITS. SINCE 2023, ITALIAN CLUBS HAVE SAVED 21 MILLION EUROS, WHICH WILL HELP THEM RETAIN PLAYERS WHO ARRIVED BY DECEMBER 31, 2023, WHO WILL BE ABLE TO BENEFIT FROM A REDUCED TAX RATE FOR FIVE YEARS. IN THE CASE OF A LONGER STAY, AN ADDITIONAL THREE YEARS OF BENEFITS ARE ALLOWED.

But what about the first players of 2024 who have arrived from abroad? - Enrico Currò from "La Repubblica" highlights this as one of the main issues. In Serie A, players like Maignan, Osimhen, Theo Hernandez, Leao, Rabiot, Lukaku, and other well-known players are in complex situations regarding new contracts. Italian clubs risk losing these players, such as the central forward of Napoli and the goalkeeper ofMilan. These players were attracted by our tax advantages, as well as interest from clubs like Chelsea, PSG, and Bayern Munich.

The well-known bill on tax benefits, developed by the Conte government in 2019, aimed at encouraging the return of skilled professionals and expanding tax benefits for athletes, is on the agenda.a 50% discount on personal income taxUnfortunately, last month, Meloni's government significantly reduced the scope of these benefits, leaving them only for "highly qualified" professionals.

As for new transfers from abroad in 2024, there are three fundamental differences in interpretation:

• Cultural:Until December 2023, even those without a higher education could benefit from tax incentives, but now a minimum of three years of higher education will be required.
• Family:According to the new regulations, the tax base can be reduced by up to 60% in the event that a player moves to Italy with a minor child or if there is an adoption in their family.
• Real Estate:If an athlete acquires real estate in Italy as their primary residence by December 31, 2023, or within 12 months before their move, they can also expect additional tax benefits for another three tax periods.

We cannot ignore facts that may seem insignificant, but it's important to remember that clubs are looking to continue saving on taxes. They have saved21 million eurosTax deductions in the past year. However, clubs are still unsure about their capabilities in this matter and are presenting special conditions in contracts for additional protection during ongoing negotiations. These "financial parachutes" are meant to protect both players, who want to avoid unexpected tax increases, and clubs that find themselves in difficult situations. Lorenzo Casini discusses this in detail. Thus, wealthy Italian clubs are making decisions that will help retain their most talented and important players amid an unclear legal situation. Discussions on current issues are ongoing, and we will soon see how the situation develops further.