Not everyone is furious at the decision to scrap the Growth Decree, as agent Federico Pastorello insists it was ‘unfair to Italian players or those already in Italy.’
The Growth Decree was a financial incentive allowing clubs to save 50 per cent on the taxes of salaries of players who came in from abroad, so effectively a €2m gross salary would cost them €1.5m instead.
It was expected to be extended until the end of February, but today news agency ANSA reported the cabinet of ministers had after a ‘heated discussion’ decided to let the financial incentives lapse on December 31.
While clubs consider it a disaster, the Players’ Association and the association of football agents in Italy are in favour of its abandonment.
“We at the AIACS always tried to combat this decree for the way it was set out,” agent Pastorello told Sky Sport Italia.
“As far as we were concerned, it was unfair to Italian players or those already in Italy. There was a disparity of treatment that was too obvious, too big, so that the choice of players became an economic one rather than one based on skill.
“At times, we saw players arrive in Italy who did not deserve it more than those who were already present. There was the very real risk of wasting away the assets of Italian football, because thanks to this decree, foreign players had a much less strong impact on the wage bill.
“Having said that, we had proposed a level of salary under which the decree could not be used. This could’ve adjusted the situation and been a turning point, but it seems that instead the whole decree will be allowed to lapse.”
When asked if this will affect the transfer strategy of Italian clubs, and also their ability to compete with richer leagues, Pastorello admits that is going to be a problem.
“The answer is yes. Some players could only come to Italy thanks to the Growth Decree and at times the Italian clubs were able to offer economic conditions that were even better to Premier League sides. Without these incentives, they will not have the same bargaining power.
“However, it is also worth pointing out we can now raise up many Italian talents who have been suffering the presence of so many foreigners in our league. It might be an initial moment of difficulty when the top players are less likely to come to Italy, but young Italians will have a better chance of playing in their league, so in the long-term it could be a winning strategy.”