CONI president Giovanni Malagò believes it was wrong to get rid of the Italian Growth Decree: ‘The Growth Decree should not be abolished, but corrected’. A decision to scrap the tax benefit, which allows clubs to sign foreign players with reduced taxes on their wages, was confirmed last month. Speaking with Radio Anch’io Sport, Malagò explained why he believes the decision was incorrect:
“I do not agree with it, we are talking about athletes who in 90% of cases are international and important players. In my opinion it should be corrected in the basic amounts, but this way the quality of our championship goes down.”
“Then, as in all situations, in needs our country manages to pull out unexpected virtues. Basketball is also penalised because contracts are not multi-year like in football.”
“I would be in favour of abolishing the Growth Decree if other opportunities were considered. I’m thinking of betting, revenue given to the treasury that is not part of the system, and some advertising. Without making an integrated system discourse, you cannot make a one-size-fits-all measure: you have to look at the whole panorama.”
