<p>The Italian Council of Ministers has made a huge shift that will impact Serie A and all Italian clubs. It is dreadful news for soccer in the country.</p>



<p>The motion would have provided fiscal discounts for athletes, especially foreign players, until February. However, the Council of Ministers voted this down. Because of this, <a href="https://worldsoccertalk.com/serie-a-tv-schedule/">Serie A</a> clubs will miss out on the Growth Decree’s winter transfer window incentives.</p>



<p>The ruling might have far-reaching consequences for the Italian teams’ market value and the league’s competitiveness. As of Jan. 1, 2024, these clubs will not get any advantages about incoming operations or the salary of registered players anymore.</p>



<h2>What is Growth Decree in Serie A</h2>



<p>Clubs may save half of the tax on the salary of foreign players thanks to the Growth Decree, a financial incentive. Being able to compete with wages provided in England and Spain has become simpler as a result.</p>



<p>Extending it until February’s end, or the whole of the January transfer window, was the original plan. Nevertheless, according to a report from <a href="https://gianlucadimarzio.com/it/decreto-crescita-calcio-consiglio-dei-ministri-news-28-dicembre-2023" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ANSA</a>, the Italian government refused to extend it past Dec. 31.</p>



<p>Instead of $2.2 million, Serie A clubs would have to pay $1.6 million in gross wages to players from abroad. Because of this, teams recruited players whose salaries exceeded what clubs could actually spend.</p>



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<p>The Italian government has been keen to do away with the Growth Decree altogether. Its cancelation and usage have been the center of talks for months.</p>



<p>After the Growth Decree ends, several clubs feel their transfer plans suffer. Contrarily, some believe that these incentives will just lead to an increase in investing in Italian talent. These players will be far less expensive compared to foreign players.</p>



<h2>Threats to the Italian top flight</h2>



<p>The clubs say they would be financially unable to recruit elite international players in the absence of the Growth Decree.</p>



<p>Due to this, the league’s standard will decline and the teams’ ability to compete on a global and European scale will fall. This would have a devastating effect on the financial and public profile of Italian soccer.</p>



<p>Thus, the Lega Serie A is pleading with the government to reconsider repealing the Growth Decree because of the catastrophic outcomes that would follow.</p>



<p>“The Lega Serie A notes with shock and worry the media rumors around a decision the cabinet of ministers has seemingly taken not to approve any extension of the special fiscal regime for sporting figures moving to Italy.</p>



<p>“Such a decision, if confirmed, will have as its only result one diametrically opposed to what has been sought.</p>



<p>“The lack of an extension, as we illustrated clearly and in detail in a note sent to the Government over the last few days, will make the clubs less competitive, consequently reducing the revenue, with fewer resources to invest in youth academies and consequently also less money going to the treasury.</p>



<p>“Seeing as the proposal to extend had been given the all-clear before being presented to the meeting of ministers, the fact that it was in the end left out makes us assume that once again a distorted view of football influenced by fallacious cliches has taken hold.</p>



<p>“It is a vision that unfortunately does not take into account the extraordinary economic, as well as social and cultural, role that our industry represents in Italy”, <a href="https://www.gazzetta.it/Calciomercato/28-12-2023/proroga-del-decreto-crescita-la-risposta-della-lega-a-dopo-il-no-del-governo.shtml?cmpid=shortener_41a0da50vz" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">they said in a statement</a>.</p>



<p><em>PHOTOS: IMAGO</em>.</p>


Significant changes in Italy to have devastating effect on Serie A

The Italian Council of Ministers has made a huge shift that will impact Serie A and all their clubs in the 'Growth Decree.'

<div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="aligncenter" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/babskarbet.files.wordpress.com/sys-images/Football/Pix/pictures/2010/1/9/1263049381203/Togo-players-001.jpg" alt="" width="460" height="276"></figure></div>
<p>The news started coming through early on Saturday morning and as the information became clearer, it was soon apparent that the whole African Cup Of Nations would now be tainted. When the dust had settled, 3 members of the Togo party were dead and several were seriously injured. Angolan rebels had attacked the team bus as it drove through the dangerous territory of Cabinda. It is no exaggeration to say that it is a miracle that no-one else was killed.</p>
<p>As of now, the Togolese team have now been pulled out by the Togo government and are awaiting a flight back to the capital Lome. After the initial attack, the team were unanimous in their decision that they wanted to pull out, but after discussions yesterday, the team wanted to continue in the competition to honour the dead members of the party. <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/10/togo-prime-minister-calls-national-team" target="_blank">The Togolese government however had other ideas.</a></p>
<p></p>
<p><div><figure class="external-image"><img loading="lazy" class="alignleft" src="http://epltalk.com/wp-content/uploads/babskarbet.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/adebayor-togo.jpg" alt="" width="267" height="400"></figure></div>With second choice goalkeeper <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/10/togo-goalkeeper-intensive-care" target="_blank">Dodji Obilale airlifted to South Africa for treatment</a> for his injuries, the government feel it would be inappropriate to continue. CAF, the African Confideration, were determined to keep Togo in, but in all honesty, I found it quite galling that the team seemed to be getting pressure to stay in the competition. I understand the teams wishes that they would like to stay to use this incident but I don’t feel that after this, anyone’s mind will be on football in the Togo camp.</p>
<p>There are so many questions that need to be answered, why were they allowed to drive through a known Angolan rebel enclave? Why did no-one know they were going to drive, rather than fly as all the other teams did? Why didn’t they have an escort? It is such a mess of miscommunication and bad organisation that as I said, how no-one else died is a miracle. The team bus was sprayed with machine gun fire for almost half an hour until the rebels ran off.</p>
<p>Emanuel Adebayor, as team captain , <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/10/togo-prime-minister-calls-national-team" target="_blank">has led the interviews with everyone since the tragedy and was instrumental in the decision</a> that saw the team decide they wished to continue as a mark of respect. Yet, no-one can understand what it must be like to survive such a thing and then be expected to play football. It is only a game.</p>
<p>Of course, this now, quite rightly throws doubt on the security of the whole tournament. The Rebel group responsible, Front for the Liberation of the Enclave of Cabinda or FLEC, have promised that this is only the beginning of an orchestrated campaign that has been planned to coincide with the African Cup Of Nations. The critics who questioned the wisdom of awarding the competition to Angola in the first place will be quick to point out that concerns were raised 4 years ago. This, they say, was a disaster waiting to happen.</p>
<p>Worries that this could<a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jan/09/world-cup-south-africa-danny-jordaan-security" target="_blank"> impact on South Africa are wide of the mark</a>, Angola is 1500 miles away. It is like comparing a tragedy in Norway having an impact in Italy. It has no merit for comparison. If anything, this will now strengthen the resolve for South Africa to be on the ball throughout the build up to the tournament. Security of the fans and participants will now be crucial for the success of the competition and the future of African footballs position in the world game.</p>
<p>The tournament will continue tonight with Angola kicking off against Mali but it has certainly been tainted. The wisdom of continuing the tournament will be under scrutiny from here on in and everyone will be hoping that the tragedy will be the last incident in a dark day for African football. I truly hope everything else goes to plan.</p>

Chaos and Tragedy Strike The African Cup Of Nations

Chaos and Tragedy Strike The African Cup Of Nations - World Soccer Talk

<div id="attachment_747" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption alignleft"><div><figure class="external-image"><img aria-describedby="caption-attachment-747" loading="lazy" class="size-medium wp-image-747" src="/files/2010/01/nigel_clough_1242683c-300x187.jpg" alt="Don&apos;t make the same mistakes of the past..." width="300" height="187"></figure></div><p id="caption-attachment-747" class="wp-caption-text">Don&apos;t make the same mistakes of the past...</p></div>
<p>In a weekend hit by weather misery here in the UK thanks to the government’s clear lack of contingency, Derby&nbsp;did manage to get their game against Scunthorpe United kicked off but in hindsight would rather they’d followed the lead of many of the other English clubs decision. The Irons battered Derby 4-1 at Pride Park thanks to a lot of lack lustre defending from the Rams as home fans watched their side crumble from start to finish. Although Derby (who were 2-0 down at half time) did get back into the game after half time, largely down to the introduction of the coveted Kris Commons, they lacked any sort of commitment and were often statues when Scunthorpe pressured them. Listening to BBC radio five live phone in the evening I heard one Derby fan e-mail in his disgruntlement at Nigel Clough’s management of the team and suggested that he wasn’t capable of taking the club forward. Derby fans seem divided on Clough but I personally think he deserves time. You can say “you don’t know what it’s like being a fan of this football club” but I have my reasons.</p>
<p>All season Derby have had a depleted squad and that isn’t just through injuries. There has been some confusion over the American investors of the club and what they have actually offered the club. General Sports &amp; Entertainment Ltd have so far provided little in substantial funds for the Rams and Clough and the wage bill has been constantly slashed. The threat of financial troubles over Derby seems to be present all to often in the clubs recent history, Billy Davies (who is now manager of bitter rivals Nottingham Forrest) quit after getting the club to the premiership due to the boards reluctance to provide funds for new players. That wasn’t the USA group that currently own the club either, so the club needs some serious investment to balance the books.</p>
<p>This past summer the club sold a number of players and brought few in for as little as possible, a definite move to slash the wage budget at the club. Fans have been unhappy with the signing of Jake Buxton, a player who was a key figure in Burton Albion’s climb up the leagues when Clough was in charge and in all honesty has struggled to adapt to the pace of a much higher league. This January could be a tough one for the team, with a number of fellow league teams aware of Derby’s clearout, particularly Wolves and Ipswich keeping an eye on Kris Commons and Jay McEveley respectively.</p>
<p>Then there are the issue of injuries and older players. Robbie Savage is 35 now and although a prominent figure in the football league I don’t think he can play at this level any more. But who to replace him with? Lee Henrie who is injury prone and also getting on in years? I don’t think so but that is what Clough has to work with and he doesn’t have much choice because money talks loudest in football. If you were in Clough’s position, sure it doesn’t look great that you’re just above the relegation zone but wouldn’t you want sympathy because of the resources available to you? Also look at Kris Commons coming back into the Derby fold all of a sudden, looking dangerous and confident; Clough has been hit by a number of injuries to key players.</p>
<p>It should be reminded that Clough only got Burton promoted in his fourth season at the club and that was after the club had sorted itself out and was finally able to pour a little money in. Four years might seem a long time but that’s what it can take in this business and Derby definitely need some sorting out. Clough is just trying to battle this situation out and I believe he’s doing a great job at it, last season Derby narrowly avoided relegation thanks to Clough coming in and managing a poorly formed side created by Paul Jewell. So far I don’t think Clough has been given any substantial funds to buy players since he’s been in charge.</p>
<p>Its frustrating being at the bottom of the table and seeing your side lose games but that is just the cards you’re dealt. Derby don’t have the depth or talent the likes of Newcastle, West Brom or Cardiff have and that’s why they are in the situation they are in. Sacking Clough does nothing to solve that problem, it’s just a difficult period and the club needs investment from somewhere else. I know the Derby fans are some of the most passionate supporters I’ve met and I hope that they can see it from this viewpoint as well. An already stretched wage bill will delve more into the red if you sack Clough and his back room staff and then bring in someone else. Would someone else really make the situation better? I don’t think so. We all know what the last Clough achieved after leaving Derby over an arguement over funds…</p>


The Damned (Scunny) United: Clough On Watch, But Why?

The Damned (Scunny) United: Clough On Watch, But Why? - World Soccer Talk

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Leagues: Serie A

Significant changes in Italy to have devastating effect on Serie A

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Chaos and Tragedy Strike The African Cup Of Nations

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The Damned (Scunny) United: Clough On Watch, But Why?