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The FIA forced to leave Paris?
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It is in a joint press release, sent to Agence France Presse, that the two institutions explained what could lead them to such a decision. The FIA, created in 1904, is located at Place de la Concorde, where it has resided since its creation. This Parisian headquarters is notably in charge of communication and international relations, as well as mobility issues. The Geneva (Switzerland) branch is more focused on sporting decisions.
FIFA, the federation governing football on a global scale, is established in Paris via a local branch created in 2021, responsible for relations with the federations. Its headquarters is located in Zurich, Switzerland, but the creation of the Paris office could constitute a first step before a complete move of football authorities. This move could be made possible thanks to a series of tax provisions put in place by the French government.
The Constitutional Council says stop
These provisions would have been intended to make France attractive again for the world federations of different sports, including football, as our country prepares to host the Olympic and Paralympic Games. The Constitutional Council, however, invalidated this proposal, citing inequality in tax matters. It is this invalidation that the FIA and FIFA contest in their joint press release.
“Although France is the cradle of motorsport, international competition, particularly in terms of labor costs, and the globalization of sport, are weakening this position”, explains Xavier Malenfer, director of institutional and international relations at the FIA. “Without clarification, through the recognition of a specific status for international sports federations, there is little hope of seeing the activities of the FIA develop further, despite all the incontestable assets of Paris. »
“The major obstacle identified to this French attractiveness: the absence of their own legal status for international federations. Under French law, they have the status of associations, and cannot be considered either as international organizations or as companies. Which has concrete consequences on their activities, their taxation, and, ultimately, on their interest in being in France. »
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Yves-Henri RANDIER
24/04/2024 at 05:43 a.m.
This smacks of relocation... to Qatar (where the FIFA President already lives!) and to the Emirates thanks to the Emirati Ben Sulayem, countries which have clear tax advantages?