Source: Eurosport
Wenger taxed by wage worries
Arsene Wenger fears the Barclays Premier League's position as the football's most high-profile domestic competition is threatened by the level of taxation in the United Kingdom.
Wenger believes the weakening of the pound against the Euro, combined with tax levels, will make it increasing difficult to compete with European clubs for the best foreign players.
"The great days of the Premier League will disappear because of problems with the pound," said Wenger.
"It's simple - let's say a player who earned £1million per year takes home £600,000 per year.
"But with 50% tax, if you want to keep him at the level of £600,000, you have to increase his wage by 20%. Not every club can afford that.
"On top of that, players who go abroad have tax advantages that we don't have here. In Spain they pay their first five years at only 25% - that means it's a lost battle for us.
"So far it hasn't caused problems but it's a disadvantage.
"In France they have made tax rules easier to attract foreign players and that is happening now.
"But here it's not up to me to assess that or judge, but basically it is a disadvantage to the Premier League.
"We are privileged people and we cannot complain about that. If we have to share for the need of the country we have to accept that, but compared to other countries it's a disadvantage."
