[size=10pt][size=10pt]Xabi Alonso warns that tax will drive top players away[/size][/size]
Even footballers have turned on the government. Xabi Alonso believes Gordon Brown's economic policies have weakened English football and that the Premier League's star players could be forced to the Continent to escape the weak pound and the incoming 50p tax rate.
Alonso is refusing to commit himself to Liverpool next season, with Real Madrid eager to to take him to the Bernabeu, and with Alonso estimating he is losing a third of his earnings he is edging closer to a return to Spain.
"Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it," Alonso said. "When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron.
" I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
Liverpool are determined to keep Alonso despite Real Madrid's very public interest, but having just published worrying financial results and with Rafael Benitez having to work with a restricted transfer budget, the Anfield club might be forced to sell, especially if the player wants to leave. Alonso, in South Africa with the Spain squad for the Confederations Cup, pointedly refused to answer questions about his future at Liverpool.
His Anfield colleague Fernando Torres admitted he was concerned about losing his Spain team-mates Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa to La Liga but insisted that playing for a club with the traditions of Liverpool should count for more than a decline in your net income.
"I worry about losing my team-mates, of course," Torres said. "But when you play for a team like Liverpool you don't have to worry about that. You are a top player and you will get a good contract. You don't have to be scared to lose a little bit of money."
That depends on your definition of 'little'. Alonso signed a five-year contract with Liverpool in 2007 worth an estimated £65,000 a week. At the time there were €1.48 to the pound so he was on €96,200 per week but due to the weakness of the pound that has fallen to €76,700 a week. When the 50p tax rate comes in next April that will drop to €69,000 a week, so he could be losing €27,200 every week compared to what he was earning back in 2007. Overall, Alonso fears he could end up losing nearly £1.2 million per year.
Alonso is not the only player unhappy with the British tax system. Andrei Arshavin, of Arsenal, claimed he had an "unpleasant surprise" when he opened his first pay packet and saw how much he was paying in tax. The Russian international is now trying to renegotiate his £80,000 a week contract to ensure he has a higher net earning.
Clubs across the country are concerned that foreign players are using the weak pound as an excuse to get a pay rise.
Arsene Wenger, the Arsenal manager, predicted back in April that "the domination of the Premier League will go" because of the government's tax policy and the fact that the United Kingdom has been hit particularly hard by the financial crisis. His prophecy seems to have been realised.
Accountants working with footballers and clubs are trying to come up with all sorts of ways of avoiding paying the top tax rate. One option being explored is paying players in interest-free loans which would attract a much lower tax rate. But ultimately, it seems the power base has shifted to the Continent.
That is particularly true of Spain, who can set up foreign players as 'company executives' who have a preferential 23 per cent tax rate for the first six years. David Beckham was on this kind of deal and Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka will be on a similar scheme. Obviously this gives clubs like Real Madrid and Barcelona a real competitive advantage in the market.
Sam Rush, whose WMG agency look after Michael Owen and Steven Gerrard, believes English clubs will have to bear the brunt of the cost as foreign players will increasingly demand to have contracts net of tax.
"If clubs want to keep top players they are going to have to push the boundaries of their financial parameters," he said. "In Europe sums are offered net of tax. That's ultimately what's going to happen here in the UK."
Xabi unhappy with Gordon Brown
- Thread starter Roger REDerer
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Re: Premiership to lose its best league in the world title soon ??
30%?
He's not quite so good at maths as he is at football then.
30%?
He's not quite so good at maths as he is at football then.
Re: Premiership to lose its best league in the world title soon ??
Meh! Why not just renegotiate the contract to more favourable terms next time one is due, the whinging twats.
I don't earn in 2 years what Alonso is on a week, and i'm supposed to feel sorry for them?
Boo fucking hoo!
Meh! Why not just renegotiate the contract to more favourable terms next time one is due, the whinging twats.
I don't earn in 2 years what Alonso is on a week, and i'm supposed to feel sorry for them?
Boo fucking hoo!
There aren't many clubs in La Liga with the money of Real and Barca though. There is Valencia, but their new stadium has fucked them and then A.Madrid who spend a lot - who else?
The other clubs seem to operate under relatively tight financial constraints.
We have the top 4, City, Villa and Spurs who can all spend big. And then our smaller clubs like Fulham, Pompey and Everton spend far more than their counterparts.
The other clubs seem to operate under relatively tight financial constraints.
We have the top 4, City, Villa and Spurs who can all spend big. And then our smaller clubs like Fulham, Pompey and Everton spend far more than their counterparts.
Just made this point in another thread, but seems more apt here.
It's only a (approx) 10% loss due to the new 50% tax rates for incredibly high earners, but it also includes the "loss" due to the pound being weaker than the euro. Previously for example, he got 67k a week, which meant €100k a week. It's now more like €75k a week.
It's bollocks though, he's paid in sterling into an English bank account, so he's paid only about 10% less. What he, or any other player decides to do with that afterwards would make it THEIR choice. If they simply keep it in sterling a while the value will get back to more or less what it was within 12 months.
All this fucking whinging about it is doing my head in.
It's only a (approx) 10% loss due to the new 50% tax rates for incredibly high earners, but it also includes the "loss" due to the pound being weaker than the euro. Previously for example, he got 67k a week, which meant €100k a week. It's now more like €75k a week.
It's bollocks though, he's paid in sterling into an English bank account, so he's paid only about 10% less. What he, or any other player decides to do with that afterwards would make it THEIR choice. If they simply keep it in sterling a while the value will get back to more or less what it was within 12 months.
All this fucking whinging about it is doing my head in.
this isn't the fisrt time alonson has spoken and caused me to wonder wtf???
I'm afraid Xabi is showing how out of touch he is with the common man, people who pay to watch him play.
Whilst a lot of lads are fearful for their jobs and making ends meet in these trying economic times, Xabi is whinging about how much he nets from sixty five fucking thousand pounds per week.
Whilst a lot of lads are fearful for their jobs and making ends meet in these trying economic times, Xabi is whinging about how much he nets from sixty five fucking thousand pounds per week.
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
Re: Premiership to lose its best league in the world title soon ??
[quote author=Mr_V link=topic=34291.msg892283#msg892283 date=1245578177]
Meh! Why not just renegotiate the contract to more favourable terms next time one is due, the whinging twats.
[/quote]
Err, no! I agree they make enough as it is, so why should the club pick up the difference because of new tax legislation?
[quote author=Mr_V link=topic=34291.msg892283#msg892283 date=1245578177]
Meh! Why not just renegotiate the contract to more favourable terms next time one is due, the whinging twats.
[/quote]
Err, no! I agree they make enough as it is, so why should the club pick up the difference because of new tax legislation?
Its not just the new tax rate, its the value of the pound to the euro. The pound is weak, thats why Kaka's deal is a record in pounds but not euro's. But that parts easily fixed Xabi, stop in england then you won't have to exchange your money into euro's (at Thomas Cook etc)
For those on exceptionally high wages (150k or more a year) they get a 50% tax rate in that year instead of 40%, for all earnings above £37000 (approx, next years figures havent been worked out in that level of detail yet). The earnings below 37k will be at 20%.
All those on over 100k lose their personal allowance (tax free) which is £6475 this year.
Like I said, it's only the exceptionally high earners that lose out, so I dont give a fuck, less than 1% of the working population of this country actually. They can afford to pay it, so let them, they already get tax breaks claiming back charitable relief whilst the rest of us pay ours in full.
All those on over 100k lose their personal allowance (tax free) which is £6475 this year.
Like I said, it's only the exceptionally high earners that lose out, so I dont give a fuck, less than 1% of the working population of this country actually. They can afford to pay it, so let them, they already get tax breaks claiming back charitable relief whilst the rest of us pay ours in full.
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892358#msg892358 date=1245588133]
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
Similar situation happened a few years ago in the NHL with regards to Canadian teams. Star hockey players were reluctant to join Canadian teams due to the dismal state of the Canadian dollar in relation to the American dollar and Canadian teams were at a significant revenue disadvantage. Eventually the league stepped in to provide some sort of revenue sharing deal to help offset the difference.
These days the Canadian teams are once again the economic engine of the league, with league-wide revenue sharing funnelling some of their profits to struggling southern American markets.
These days the Canadian teams are once again the economic engine of the league, with league-wide revenue sharing funnelling some of their profits to struggling southern American markets.
[quote author=darkstarexodus link=topic=34291.msg892463#msg892463 date=1245607769]
Similar situation happened a few years ago in the NHL with regards to Canadian teams. Star hockey players were reluctant to join Canadian teams due to the dismal state of the Canadian dollar in relation to the American dollar and Canadian teams were at a significant revenue disadvantage. Eventually the league stepped in to provide some sort of revenue sharing deal to help offset the difference.
These days the Canadian teams are once again the economic engine of the league, with league-wide revenue sharing funnelling some of their profits to struggling southern American markets.
[/quote]
[size=30pt]LEAVE GEORGIE GILLETT ALONE!![/size]
Similar situation happened a few years ago in the NHL with regards to Canadian teams. Star hockey players were reluctant to join Canadian teams due to the dismal state of the Canadian dollar in relation to the American dollar and Canadian teams were at a significant revenue disadvantage. Eventually the league stepped in to provide some sort of revenue sharing deal to help offset the difference.
These days the Canadian teams are once again the economic engine of the league, with league-wide revenue sharing funnelling some of their profits to struggling southern American markets.
[/quote]
[size=30pt]LEAVE GEORGIE GILLETT ALONE!![/size]
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892426#msg892426 date=1245601910]
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892358#msg892358 date=1245588133]
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
[/quote]What utter shit.
Wilko has it spot on in this thread. Men who are worried about their families and their livelyhoods made these young men MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRES!
Interviewer 'So do you worry that your tax is going up?'
Alonso 'Look, im lucky enough to have made a very nice living out of this game, it would be crass for me to complain that my earnings of millions of pounds will be less next year'
Me 'fucking fair play Xabi'
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892358#msg892358 date=1245588133]
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
[/quote]What utter shit.
Wilko has it spot on in this thread. Men who are worried about their families and their livelyhoods made these young men MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRES!
Interviewer 'So do you worry that your tax is going up?'
Alonso 'Look, im lucky enough to have made a very nice living out of this game, it would be crass for me to complain that my earnings of millions of pounds will be less next year'
Me 'fucking fair play Xabi'
A fellow Basque by the name of Joseba Etxeberria played for nothing at Bilbao last season.
edit: Oops, I mean he agreed it for this season coming up.
edit: Oops, I mean he agreed it for this season coming up.
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34291.msg892501#msg892501 date=1245612365]
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892426#msg892426 date=1245601910]
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892358#msg892358 date=1245588133]
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
[/quote]What utter shit.
Wilko has it spot on in this thread. Men who are worried about their families and their livelyhoods made these young men MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRES!
Interviewer 'So do you worry that your tax is going up?'
Alonso 'Look, im lucky enough to have made a very nice living out of this game, it would be crass for me to complain that my earnings of millions of pounds will be less next year'
Me 'fucking fair play Xabi'
[/quote]
spot on.
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892426#msg892426 date=1245601910]
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892358#msg892358 date=1245588133]
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
[/quote]What utter shit.
Wilko has it spot on in this thread. Men who are worried about their families and their livelyhoods made these young men MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRES!
Interviewer 'So do you worry that your tax is going up?'
Alonso 'Look, im lucky enough to have made a very nice living out of this game, it would be crass for me to complain that my earnings of millions of pounds will be less next year'
Me 'fucking fair play Xabi'
[/quote]
spot on.
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34291.msg892501#msg892501 date=1245612365]
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892426#msg892426 date=1245601910]
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892358#msg892358 date=1245588133]
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
[/quote]What utter shit.
Wilko has it spot on in this thread. Men who are worried about their families and their livelyhoods made these young men MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRES!
Interviewer 'So do you worry that your tax is going up?'
Alonso 'Look, im lucky enough to have made a very nice living out of this game, it would be crass for me to complain that my earnings of millions of pounds will be less next year'
Me 'fucking fair play Xabi'
[/quote]
Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion.
I read it as a journalist working in the media for 15 years and someone on a decent wage who also worries about my own income levies and tax increases despite economic Armageddon here.
I also think he answered the questions with far more intelligence than the average gimp kicking a football for millions of pounds every year.
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892426#msg892426 date=1245601910]
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892358#msg892358 date=1245588133]
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
[/quote]What utter shit.
Wilko has it spot on in this thread. Men who are worried about their families and their livelyhoods made these young men MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRES!
Interviewer 'So do you worry that your tax is going up?'
Alonso 'Look, im lucky enough to have made a very nice living out of this game, it would be crass for me to complain that my earnings of millions of pounds will be less next year'
Me 'fucking fair play Xabi'
[/quote]
Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion.
I read it as a journalist working in the media for 15 years and someone on a decent wage who also worries about my own income levies and tax increases despite economic Armageddon here.
I also think he answered the questions with far more intelligence than the average gimp kicking a football for millions of pounds every year.
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34291.msg892569#msg892569 date=1245619924]
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892567#msg892567 date=1245619676]
i didn't think his reply was utter shit. it was a reasoned reply to the question asked and exactly what i'd expect of a 'professional'.
[/quote]I didnt say his was.
[/quote]
No, he meant my post was "utter shit" because that's what was quoted.
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892567#msg892567 date=1245619676]
i didn't think his reply was utter shit. it was a reasoned reply to the question asked and exactly what i'd expect of a 'professional'.
[/quote]I didnt say his was.
[/quote]
No, he meant my post was "utter shit" because that's what was quoted.
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892563#msg892563 date=1245618697]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34291.msg892501#msg892501 date=1245612365]
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892426#msg892426 date=1245601910]
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892358#msg892358 date=1245588133]
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
[/quote]What utter shit.
Wilko has it spot on in this thread. Men who are worried about their families and their livelyhoods made these young men MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRES!
Interviewer 'So do you worry that your tax is going up?'
Alonso 'Look, im lucky enough to have made a very nice living out of this game, it would be crass for me to complain that my earnings of millions of pounds will be less next year'
Me 'fucking fair play Xabi'
[/quote]
Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion.
I read it as a journalist working in the media for 15 years and someone on a decent wage who also worries about my own income levies and tax increases despite economic Armageddon here.
I also think he answered the questions with far more intelligence than the average gimp kicking a football for millions of pounds every year.
[/quote]Too often the excuse of 'he was just answering a question' is used. Footballers are entitled to NOT answer questions too. I wish they would exercise the right more often.
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34291.msg892501#msg892501 date=1245612365]
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892426#msg892426 date=1245601910]
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892358#msg892358 date=1245588133]
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
[/quote]What utter shit.
Wilko has it spot on in this thread. Men who are worried about their families and their livelyhoods made these young men MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRES!
Interviewer 'So do you worry that your tax is going up?'
Alonso 'Look, im lucky enough to have made a very nice living out of this game, it would be crass for me to complain that my earnings of millions of pounds will be less next year'
Me 'fucking fair play Xabi'
[/quote]
Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion.
I read it as a journalist working in the media for 15 years and someone on a decent wage who also worries about my own income levies and tax increases despite economic Armageddon here.
I also think he answered the questions with far more intelligence than the average gimp kicking a football for millions of pounds every year.
[/quote]Too often the excuse of 'he was just answering a question' is used. Footballers are entitled to NOT answer questions too. I wish they would exercise the right more often.
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892570#msg892570 date=1245620225]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34291.msg892569#msg892569 date=1245619924]
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892567#msg892567 date=1245619676]
i didn't think his reply was utter shit. it was a reasoned reply to the question asked and exactly what i'd expect of a 'professional'.
[/quote]I didnt say his was.
[/quote]
No, he meant my post was "utter shit" because that's what was quoted.
[/quote]No i wasnt. Yours was a pretty reasoned and well thought out post that i just happen to disagree totally with. The other poster just wants Alonso to leave so that he can beat Rafa up some more.
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34291.msg892569#msg892569 date=1245619924]
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892567#msg892567 date=1245619676]
i didn't think his reply was utter shit. it was a reasoned reply to the question asked and exactly what i'd expect of a 'professional'.
[/quote]I didnt say his was.
[/quote]
No, he meant my post was "utter shit" because that's what was quoted.
[/quote]No i wasnt. Yours was a pretty reasoned and well thought out post that i just happen to disagree totally with. The other poster just wants Alonso to leave so that he can beat Rafa up some more.
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34291.msg892571#msg892571 date=1245620453]
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892563#msg892563 date=1245618697]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34291.msg892501#msg892501 date=1245612365]
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892426#msg892426 date=1245601910]
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892358#msg892358 date=1245588133]
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
[/quote]What utter shit.
Wilko has it spot on in this thread. Men who are worried about their families and their livelyhoods made these young men MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRES!
Interviewer 'So do you worry that your tax is going up?'
Alonso 'Look, im lucky enough to have made a very nice living out of this game, it would be crass for me to complain that my earnings of millions of pounds will be less next year'
Me 'fucking fair play Xabi'
[/quote]
Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion.
I read it as a journalist working in the media for 15 years and someone on a decent wage who also worries about my own income levies and tax increases despite economic Armageddon here.
I also think he answered the questions with far more intelligence than the average gimp kicking a football for millions of pounds every year.
[/quote]Too often the excuse of 'he was just answering a question' is used. Footballers are entitled to NOT answer questions too. I wish they would exercise the right more often.
[/quote]
Rafa tried it and was crucified for it by both media and fans afterwards ("as always I am focused on training and coaching my team"😉
If you don't want to answer questions, don't do any interviews.
I know how the media works, it's what I do.
I don't want to beat Rafa or any of the players up. I do, however, despair when people can't read between the spin, be it broadsheet or tabloid, and digest the facts and quotes around the bullshit.
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892563#msg892563 date=1245618697]
[quote author=Herr Onceared link=topic=34291.msg892501#msg892501 date=1245612365]
[quote author=rage link=topic=34291.msg892426#msg892426 date=1245601910]
[quote author=flufferama link=topic=34291.msg892358#msg892358 date=1245588133]
Hang on a minute.
The question was put to Alonso.
He responded: "Of course we footballers think about it; we are not stupid, we keep an eye on it. When you see your contract down by 30 per cent you cannot be happy. I cannot do anything – it must be Gordon Brown or David Cameron."
So far, so good. Footballers keep an eye on their earnings. Not happy with less money after tax. What's wrong with that? Where's he looking for sympathy?
Then he was obviously asked about Premier League teams competing with other European sides for players.
"I think the weakness of the sterling is not helping the Premiership because for those competing and fighting against the European teams it is a big weak point. Hopefully over the next few months and years it will get back to what it was not so long ago."
It's spin, people. He's answering a question, not whinging. As for being unhappy with Brown, well who else can make decisions on taxation?
[/quote]
just shows alonso's got a brain unlike countless other footballers out there. but hey seeing as though he 'might' leave let the witch hunt continue.
[/quote]What utter shit.
Wilko has it spot on in this thread. Men who are worried about their families and their livelyhoods made these young men MULTI MULTI MILLIONAIRES!
Interviewer 'So do you worry that your tax is going up?'
Alonso 'Look, im lucky enough to have made a very nice living out of this game, it would be crass for me to complain that my earnings of millions of pounds will be less next year'
Me 'fucking fair play Xabi'
[/quote]
Fair enough, you're entitled to your opinion.
I read it as a journalist working in the media for 15 years and someone on a decent wage who also worries about my own income levies and tax increases despite economic Armageddon here.
I also think he answered the questions with far more intelligence than the average gimp kicking a football for millions of pounds every year.
[/quote]Too often the excuse of 'he was just answering a question' is used. Footballers are entitled to NOT answer questions too. I wish they would exercise the right more often.
[/quote]
Rafa tried it and was crucified for it by both media and fans afterwards ("as always I am focused on training and coaching my team"😉
If you don't want to answer questions, don't do any interviews.
I know how the media works, it's what I do.
I don't want to beat Rafa or any of the players up. I do, however, despair when people can't read between the spin, be it broadsheet or tabloid, and digest the facts and quotes around the bullshit.
- Status
