Georges‑Louis Bouchez blocks Pro League's tax reform

Neither Georges‑Louis Bouchez, president of the MR and of the Francs Borains, nor the Pro League responded to VRT's questions concerning the tax reform that would target Pro League players, even though the favorable regime is once again at the centre of federal budget discussions.

The favorable regime enjoyed by the top footballers is once again in the crosshairs during federal budget discussions.

Deputy prime ministers Maxime Prévot and Frank Vandenbroucke want professional players to contribute more to social security.

According to them, this could generate several tens of millions of euros per year.

Prévot mentions a potential revenue of €70 million per year.

Vandenbroucke estimates that social contributions could bring in around €100 million, to which several tens of millions of tax advantages for clubs would be added.

Origin of the regime and expert opinions

This regime was introduced at the time to protect athletes whose careers are short and who face a higher risk of injury.

But, according to tax specialist Michel Maus and labour economist Stijn Baert, professional football has changed dramatically in the meantime.

Salaries have risen considerably and most clubs have become professional enterprises.

"It is completely unjustified to maintain this favorable regime for professional footballers," Baert told VRT.

Maus also argues that footballers should contribute to their social protection in the same way as other workers.

According to Prévot, the proposal is blocked by MR president Georges‑Louis Bouchez, who is also president of the Francs Borains.

In the football world, the international competitiveness of Belgian clubs is often mentioned.

Baert does not find this argument convincing: in his view, public authorities must first support those who earn the least.

The potential revenue remains limited compared to the total budget effort of ten billion euros, but it still amounts to several tens of millions.

The file has thus become a topic of debate again in the budget negotiations.