© EuroFootball.com
Russian billionaire Dmitry Rybolovlev's controlled "Monaco" club has already shaken up the football player market before the season even ended, but the French Football Federation (FFA) and the "Ligue 1" leadership (LFP) no longer want Monaco to compete in their championship.
The reason for this is Monaco's tax system, which is drastically different from France's tax system. Taxes in France have recently increased significantly, especially for high-income individuals.
Located in the Principality of Monaco and playing at the Stade Louis II stadium in Monaco, which only holds 15,000 spectators, the Monaco team triumphed in the "Ligue 2" championship this season and earned the right to compete in the first division of French football next season.
The LFP has set a condition for Monaco's team officials - relocate the club to France and pay taxes there or pay 200 million euros - only in this case will the team be admitted to the "Ligue 1" championship, where it first competed in 1924.
Players of the Monaco club do not have to pay any taxes to the Principality unless they are American. If a French player were to play in Monaco's club, they would have to pay taxes to their country. Therefore, in the opinion of French football clubs, the Monaco team would gain an unfair advantage over other teams.
"Our club's position is clear - such a demand is completely unacceptable. Monaco has been part of the French Football Federation since 1919 and has contributed significantly to French football during that time. The team has raised many players for the French national team and defended and represented the honor of French football in European tournaments.
Team officials have consulted with lawyers and decided to take legal action against the LFP and FFA," - the Monaco club said in an official statement.
The demands of French football leaders have even surprised UEFA President Michel Platini: "It seems that French football leaders liked the Monaco club only until they won something."
French wishes go against even UEFA rules, as in 2011, the French team "Evian Thonon Gaillard" wanted to play home games in the Swiss city of Geneva, but UEFA did not allow it, stating that the team's stadium and registration location must be in the same place.
It is worth noting that under the guidance of Claudio Ranieri, Monaco recently splashed out 70 million euros for the "Porto" duo Joao Moutinho and James Rodriguez after winning the "Ligue 2" championship, and a few days ago also acquired Real Madrid defender Ricardo Carvalho.
In the football world, it is said that Monaco club will soon add Atletico Madrid leader Radamel Falcao to its purchases for around 60 million euros.
