Bellinazzo: Growth Decree Doesn’t Support Football in Italy

The Italian Government’s recent decision to abolish the ‘Decreto Crescita’ has elicited comments from journalist Marco Bellinazzo, known for his insights on Serie A.

In a conversation with the sports news outlet gianlucadimarzio.com, Bellinazzo criticised the government’s decision. He is of the belief that, “This move is a mistake in that it fails to recognise football as an industrial sector of major significance that produces nearly €800-900 million every year through its fiscal contribution”.

Underlines Bellinazzo, the financial resources the football industry generates through the Decreto Crescita are not extraneous funds being taken from the general public. Instead, these subsidies enable the industry to sustain itself.

He has also dismissed concerns of potential discrimination against Italian footballers. Such concerns have been mitigated somewhat by impressive performances from Italy’s youth squads, and partly by the reformed 2022 regulations. These set a limit of €1 million over 20 years to access the granted focus.

However, Bellinazzo has pointed out an apparent contradictory risk. The abolition would mean footballers fall under the same standard framework as so-called ‘returnees’. As a result, this advantage would only apply to those earning up to €600,000, primarily focussed on younger players, not the top tier players, an evident ‘boomerang effect’.

To mitigate this situation, Bellinazzo suggests that, “Some clarification is required at the legislative level”. The exact implications of the government’s decision await to be seen, but it has undoubtedly stirred extensive debate within Italy’s football community.