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French clubs to go on strike?

Clubs in France's Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 could boycott matches over the weekend of October 26 against the government's new tax measures.

Clubs in Ligue 1 and Ligue 2 could go on a strike if the French government's proposal to introduce a 75% rate of income tax on people earning above €1m (£850,000) a year is made a law.

President Francois Hollande's motion will directly affect 115 players and eight coaches of 14 clubs in France and the clubs' union, the UCPF, could decide to call a strike.

"For many clubs, it is a question of survival," Bernard Caiazzo, UCPF vice-president and Saint-Etienne president, told Journal du Dimanche. "It's an alarming situation. It is extremely tense."

Jean-Pierre Louvel, president of UCPF and Le Havre, added: "Different scenarios were brought up. We'll show a very clear will.

"But we're not at that stage yet. It'll depend on the attitude and the potential discussions we'll have with the authorities as well as the will of our clubs."

Louvel further explained why the government's proposal could have an adverse effect on football in France.

"In fact, this tax doesn't only concern those L1 clubs," he said. "It puts everyone in jeopardy when French football already has a deficit.

"If L1 is weakened economically, it will have fewer means to recruit, TV rights will fall, L2 will suffer and I remind you there are 25,000 jobs directly and indirectly involved."

The final decision on strike action will be taken by the UCPF next Thursday, and if it goes ahead, then it would mean no Ligue 1 or Ligue 2 football matches over the weekend of October 26.

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Subhankar Mondal
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Monaco's Belgian midfielder Yannick Ferreira Carrasco (R) celebrates after scoring a goal during the French L1 football match Monaco vs Saint Etienne on October 5, 2013
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Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Paris Saint-GermainPSG19145049173247
2Marseille19114440231737
3MonacoMonaco19104532221034
4Nice1996438251333
5Lille1988329191032
6Lyon198653023730
7Lens198652318530
8Brest199192931-228
9StrasbourgStrasbourg197663331227
10Toulouse197482021-125
11Auxerre196582529-423
12Reims195772527-222
13Angers196492128-722
14NantesNantes193972229-718
15Saint-EtienneSt Etienne1953111839-2118
16Rennes1952122630-417
17Montpellier HSCMontpellier1943122044-2415
18Le HavreLe Havre1941141438-2413


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