French soccer clubs to meet on planned super tax but stopping short of strike for moment

PARIS – France's professional soccer clubs will meet next week to decide the next step in their opposition to government plans for a super tax on players' salaries.

The clubs' union said Thursday it has no immediate plans to organize a strike over the tax on French salaries exceeding $1.35 million in all lines of work. The meeting is set for Oct. 24.

Union President Jean-Pierre Louvel tells The Associated Press that talk of a possible strike is "premature." Louvel says the Union of Professional Football Clubs is still negotiating with the government about the tax. He adds that the tax goes "too far" and will cost French clubs at least $60 million.