January 2nd, 2007
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Topic: Portuguese footballers could lose tax credits: report
Quote:
Portuguese footballers could lose tax credits: report
LISBON, Jan 2, 2007 (AFP) - Portuguese footballers could lose tax credits as part of the government's sweeping economic reforms, media reported here Tuesday.
According to a draft bill drawn up by the finance ministry, professional footballers could lose their fiscal benefits and have all their revenues made taxable, as opposed to 60 percent now.
The union of professional Portuguese footballers (SJPF) condemned the proposed move and warned it could call a general strike that would lead to the "halting of Portuguese football".
"Only a handful of players earn the salaries of millionaires. The great majority earn little and have a very short career," SJPF president Joaquim Evangelista said in remarks published by the Correio da Manha daily.
"We have already noted that the government hasn't shown any sensitivity on this subject. We will present our claims and if nothing comes of that, we will mobilise the players for a general strike."
The Portuguese government is under pressure from the European Union to reduce its public deficit of 6.0 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) in 2005, the highest in the euro zone.
Socialist Prime Minister Jose Socrates has raised taxes and cut pensions and other benefits for the large civil service in an effort to bring the deficit below a EU limit of 3.0 percent of output by 2008.
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