The fiscal changes in Spain will "not make it easy" to renew Cristiano Ronaldo's deal with Real Madrid. If the team pays the footballer €15M ($18.4M) net as reported "in a number of media outlets," it will need to spend a total of €22.5M ($27.5M) annually including taxes. That sum, "multiplied by a hypothetical five years under contract," would cost the club €112.5M ($137.7M) (ECODIARIO.es, 7/14).
TRAVEL PACKAGES: GLOBO reported that the official operator of Brazilian side Corinthians FC "announced the different packages" that are available for fans who want to travel to Japan to see the club play in the FIFA Club World Cup. The packages will start at $4,998 which includes airfare, accommodations, assistance in Portuguese and a guarantee in the purchase of tickets for the two games (GLOBO, 7/13).
FAKE GRASS: The BBC reported that the English Football Association "will permit artificial pitches to be used in qualifying rounds" of the FA Cup.The decision also affects matches in six other FA competitions, including the FA Trophy and Women's FA Cup. The FA explained in a statement on its website that: "If any club with an artificial pitch reaches the First Round Proper and is drawn at home, then they will need to switch to a ground of a club who are both an FA Cup entrant and have a natural grass pitch" (BBC, 7/13).
