Spain to have $51 million World Cup winnings cut due to strict law
The whole of Spain might still be celebrating their World Cup win but the squad's winnings are set to take a pretty hefty cut.
Ferran Torres' extra time goal was enough to earn Luis de la Fuente's side their second World Cup star last weekend after they edged out an Argentina side who thought they'd turned up to a boxing match rather than a football final.
It was a tournament filled with controversial moments both on and off the pitch, with Argentina players likely to face serious FIFA action following their actions after the full-time whistle in both the semi-final and final.
But the Spanish players cannot blame FIFA for the upcoming adjustment to their $51 million World Cup winnings, and instead should look towards the man who handed over the trophy.
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Donald Trump was on the stage as Rodri lifted the trophy for La Roja, and he was looking rather sheepish, perhaps in the knowledge that America's strict taxation rules mean that they're about to feel the full financial impact.
Fox claims that 30 per cent of the squad's winnings could be claimed by the IRS, something United States representative Tim Burchett called a 'rip-off'.
He told the outlet: “I’m not a fan of it, but Americans have to do it.
“American professional athletes do it, so they knew that when they came over here.”
The US tax law suggests that any payments that are made to nonresident foreign athletes should be subject to a 30 per cent federal withholding unless there is a very good reason.
“I’m not a big fan of the IRS,” Burchett continued.
“They made that money over here, I guess, but I don’t like all that. We want to encourage these people to come over here and spend their money, and then we take a big chunk of it.
“We’ve got to get a better tax system.”
Now, you might well be playing your tiny violins since these footballers are some of the richest men on the planet, particularly the Premier League stars in the Spanish squad such as Pedro Porro, Rodri and David Raya.
Even 19-year-old Lamine Yamal has probably already made more money that most people will do in their lifetime, and he might not be used to the idea of having so much of his winnings taken away.
However, there is some consolation for the squad, other than the fact that they've achieved something only previously managed by a true golden generation of players in Spain, since Trump and FIFA have also awarded them the very first World Cup champions ring.
The England players who might have blown their best chance to win it once again can take solace in the fact that 1996 extra versions have been made available to buy for the small price of $12,000 (£8930).
Still, that's nothing compared to the price that fans will have had to shell out for the chance to see Spain take on Argentina in the final, as well all the half-time shenanigans of course.
Topics: World Cup, Donald Trump
James Moorhouse