© Isosport
The CD&V Chamber faction supports the proposal of Minister of Social Affairs Frank Vandenbroucke (Vooruit) to end the favorable regime that high-paid football players receive. “Over the past ten years, those wages have cost the treasury about one billion euros in taxpayers’ money. The social and tax benefits were intended to socially protect young, lower-earning players. We have to go back to that original goal,” it sounds.
In Vandenbroucke’s plan, the favorable social security scheme for top athletes will be overhauled. Especially top footballers, who sometimes bring in a few million a year, would feel that. But the lesser gods would feel that too. To compensate for that, there would be a “sports bonus”. It has yet to be determined how high the wage may be to claim it. In any case, the government still has to give the green light. At Vandenbroucke, they emphasize that the bill is far from being finished, and that consultations will soon follow with the various sports federations.
The main question is how MR will relate to the proposal. Party chairman Georges-Louis Bouchez – himself chairman of football club Francs Borains – is hesitant to get the benefits. That would mean the end of a lot of clubs in our country, he fears, and the end of European adventures for the top clubs. But for now, Bouchez keeps his mouth shut. The debate will have to be settled in the government. (blg, brain)
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