Premier League to benefit as Spain announces 56 per cent tax band for top earners

Fans of Barclays Premier League clubs could receive a huge boost from an unlikely source as it has been revealed the Spanish government plans to introduce a whopping 56 per cent tax band for top earners. The new rate of income tax would hit foreign football stars hard, leading them to look elsewhere for their next megabucks deal, directing them to the richest league in the world.


La Liga had been living a charmed life under the old ‘Beckham Law’, introduced just before the former Manchester United midfielder joined Real Madrid in 2003.

Under that system foreign players only paid 24 per cent tax - which was lifted in 2010 - and this has now been replaced with the new system, clearing the way for English clubs to compete on an even footing with their Spanish counterparts.

Jose Maria Gay, economics professor at the University of Catalunya, told The Sun: 'Now foreign players will be more expensive.

'Before, thanks to the cushy Beckham Law, we were among those who paid the least in that area and now we are among those who pay the most.

'It is 54 per cent — 56 per cent in Catalunya. The repeal of the Beckham Law along with the rise in income tax is a bad joke.'

The rise in the top income tax band to 54 per cent - or 56 per cent in Catalunya - could pave the way for the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo to return to the English top flight.

While fans across the country will be licking their lips in anticipation of the arrival of some of Spain’s top talent in this country.

Ronaldo

Cristiano Ronaldo has hit out at suggestions his recent declaration that he was unhappy at Real Madrid was part of a ploy to earn a lucrative new contract.

Time will tell if what he says is true, Real Madrid have more foreign players than Spanish.