October 25, 2022
The brief from today:
Tax windfall for France
Reports this week in France revealed the staggering figures French star, Kylian Mbappé, is set to earn in his three year contract extension with PSG. While the Qatari ownership of the club are denying the stories published, the numbers are far too difficult for the public to ignore as false. According to outlets like Le Parisien, Mbappe will make an astounding €630 million in gross salary through 2025. This record setting number will not just be enjoyed the 23-year-old, however, as the government is also set to enjoy a decent windfall. With tax rates on the wealthy in France being in the 50 percent range, it’s no surprise that when quizzed on Mbappe’s salary, France’s economy minister, Bruno Le Maire, was jubilant. He didn’t pause to mention the club ownership’s denial, or their threats to take legal action against the various publications reporting the story, instead he said: “It’s a good thing, he will pay a lot of tax, it’s good that he pays them to France rather than elsewhere. If he went to Real Madrid on the same salary, the French state wouldn’t be picking up the same level of tax to finance our public services. The amounts are so dizzying that they escape common understanding—but it’s a reality around the whole world.” Safe to say then that the government’s representative on finances is buying the story, and also looks forward to recouping the tax revenue.
Mbappe’s skill has earned him a lot of money, which the French government also hopes to benefit from
Vieira calls out lack of diversity in coaching
Crystal Palace manager, Partick Vieira, has spoken out against the lack of diversity and representation in coaching for people of color. As the lone black coach in the Premier League, the former France international is well informed on the subject. A recent study was done on the Premier League and EFL in England, and it was discovered that despite the latter consisting of 34 percent black players, and the former 43 percent, there are still only 4.4 percent managers that are black. In response to this, Vieira bluntly stated that the “doors are not open” for black managers, and that despite being as “good as anybody else”, people of color aren’t afforded the same opportunities. Vieira’s gripe wasn’t only with England as he underlined the similarities throughout Europe’s top five leagues. This same sentiment was recently voiced by another former black player, and current manager, Clarence Seedorf. The former Dutch international’s opinions were closely aligned with Vieira’s, as both bemoaned the difficulty they have faced with landing positions since retirement unlike many of their white contemporaries. Vieira did go a step further, however, as he also shined a light on the lack of chances being afforded to black people in administrative positions as well. An exception to this is the current QPR director of football, former England international Les Ferdinand. Despite holding that office, even Ferdinand concurred with the public comments of Seedorf and Vieira saying that the English FA’s diversity program has “made no difference whatsoever” when it comes to black people securing positions in the sport. One can only hope that at some point this trend begins to change, but as each of the aforementioned individuals said, the current state of affairs is drastically subpar.
Patrick Vieira has chosen to speak up against the lack of diversity in football’s influential roles