24/03/2009 18:37
Richest football clubs to pay luxury tax on star players
Europe's richest football clubs would have to pay a luxury tax on their star players that would be passed on to poorer clubs, under plans being considered by the sport's ruling body, Financial Times reports.
William Gaillard, UEFA's spokesman, said many costrestraint ideas, such as salary caps, had flaws, but the luxury tax and squad limits were «more promising areas», which could work, if properly adapted.
«There is no simple solution,» he said. «All the plans have drawbacks, some worse than others. The salary caps look like they are very difficult to manage in a system where we have European competitions like the Champions League interfacing with national leagues and competitions. It would be frighteningly difficult to administer.»