Italian football will be able to pay in installments over the next five years, until 2027, the debt it has accumulated since 2020 in the form of taxes, about 500 million euros, thanks to the amendment known in Italy as ‘Salva-deporte’ which in finally included the far-right Giorgia Meloni in the Budget Law that will be approved in Italy before the end of the year.
Clubs in the first three categories (Series A, B and C) owe a total of 480 million euros in taxes (VAT and personal income tax) since they were granted a kind of tax amnesty in 2020 to alleviate their complicated situation. caused by the covid pandemic, which caused the end of sports activity.
Due to the need for the clubs to pay the debt individually, Claudio Lotito, president of Lazio and senator from Forza Italia -part of the Meloni Government-, presented an amendment to divide the debt into 60 installments ( Five years). .
Government recession
However, the Italian government itself, with the intention of including the said amendment in the Budget Law for the first time, retreated in the face of social unrest caused by the privileged position of soccer compared to other Italian companies. -that if they had to deal with his debts- and ensured that he would not have favorable treatment with the teams, so he set the deadline for paying the full amount on Thursday, December 22.
“The criminal shield of football clubs is unsustainable,” said Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni on December 7. Some statements supported by the Minister of Sport, Andrea Abodi.
Italian football is on the ropes but, after several days of negotiations between the government and the sports authorities, the government, since the clubs cannot afford to pay the total amount, decided to re-include the proposal and contact in football and in Italian sport.
The amendment was known a few weeks ago in Italy as ‘salva-calcio’ but, also by including other sports, it took the name of ‘salva-sport’. The total debt of Italian sports, including all federations, amounts to almost 900 million euros.
In interests
The loan repayment is now presented to football clubs and other federations in 60 installments, although with 3% interest (26.67 million euros). Of course, the teams must pay the first three installments and the debts with social security before December 29.
“There are no discounts for football clubs, they have to pay everything with interest, like other companies. The part related to contributions and social security must be paid before December 29, everything else until maximum 60 installments. No discount will not be made to anyone, as fairness,” Abodi said on Wednesday.
According to local media, very few clubs have paid their debts. Cremonese, recently promoted to Serie A, and Fiorentina are now free; and Lecce has prepared its share to pay its debt.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Rose Herman and I work as an author for Today Times Live. My expertise lies in writing about sports, a passion of mine that has been with me since childhood. As part of my job, I provide comprehensive coverage on everything from football to tennis to golf.
