Thunderbolt in Italy. There Gazzetta dello Sport announces that the transalpine government wants to introduce a major change in its 2024 budgetary laws. Nothing has yet been voted on, but the authorities want to put an end to the financial boost that Italian clubs have benefited from since 2019. The famous Decreto Crescita ( growth decree). In other words, the decree remains in place for workers coming from abroad, but it will no longer concern Italian football.
A big blow for the greats of Italy
“Employees or self-employed workers who transfer their tax residence to Italy will benefit, from 2024, from a new facilitated regime for a maximum period of five years. Workers who meet the conditions of high qualification or specialization and who have not already resided in our country during the three tax periods preceding obtaining residency will be able to benefit from a tax reduction of 50%, within the limit of 600,000 euros of taxable income »indicates the press release from the Italian government.
As a reminder, the Decreto Crescita was introduced in Italian football to allow it to regain a certain attractiveness on the transfer market. For four years, all foreign players have seen 50% of their salary exempt from tax and only 30% taxed. A huge boost which allowed the biggest teams to afford elements such as Romelu Lukaku or Matthijs De Ligt, for example. A twist of theater synonymous with relief for all those who felt that this measure launched in 2019 was a form of “discrimination” against Italian players.
Lukaku escapes the rule
On the other hand, it is a real bomb for the Boot clubs. Indeed, this measure made it possible to considerably reduce salary costs and constituted a significant advantage in the context of respecting financial fair play. If the Decreto Crescita is no longer applicable to transalpine football, this means that the bill will increase considerably for the teams. In fact, this modification concerns all foreigners recruited since July 1, 2023! Players such as Marcus Thuram, Benjamin Pavard, Ruben Loftus-Cheek, Tijani Reijnders, Houssem Aouar, Even Ndicka and even Christian Pulisic were able to be recruited thanks to this decree.
If he disappears, Inter, AS Roma and AC Milan will have to pay full price for all these beautiful people. Consequence: Italian clubs will inevitably change their tune during the next winter transfer window. If they can no longer obtain this rebate on foreign players, they risk favoring the Italian market. Or turn to foreigners who have already benefited from this advantage. Indeed, a player like Romelu Lukaku (recruited by Roma this summer) is not subject to this change. Players who have already benefited from the decree will have the right to retain this advantage.
