Raul: Spain still attractive to stars

Raul: Spain still attractive to stars

Real Madrid captain Raul believes the game's biggest stars will still move to La Liga despite the scrapping of tax advantages for big-earning foreign players.

The Spanish government are primed to change the current tax arrangements for foreigners - which see's those earning more than 600,000 euros a year paying just 24% tax. A law that is commonly known as the "Beckham Law".

The changes would see this rate increase to 43% - the same as everyday Spanish citizens have to pay.

The Spanish football league (LFP) have already voiced their concerns about the proposed changes, which are set to take place in January 2010, and recently announced that they will enter negotiations with the government prior to taking any further action.

Raul, whose side signed the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Kaka and Karim Benzema this summer, said: "I think all of us have to play by the same rules.

"We'll see if it is approved."

He also doubted whether a change to the law would mean less star players moving to Spain in the future, adding: "I don't think so. The great players will keep coming."

The "Beckham Law", named after former Madrid star David Beckham who was one of the first people to benefit from it, was passed in 2005 and was aimed at attracting specially qualified foreigners to Spain.


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