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Today YB plays against Manchester City in the Champions League. If the English win, the canton’s cash register will ring.
It’s the game of the year: Tonight YB meets Manchester City, currently probably the best football club in the world, in the sold-out Wankdorf Stadium.
Iconic coach Pep Guardiola and star striker Erling Haaland inspire football fans from all over the world, with millions watching the game on Bern’s artificial turf on television.
Legend:
If Man City star Erling Haaland shoots YB, at least the Bern tax administration can be happy.
AP/Jon Great
It’s a game of David against Goliath: the market value of the YB players is around 60 million francs. At Mancity it is 1.2 billion francs. Accordingly, even die-hard YB fans are internally preparing for a clear defeat.
Mancity would have to hand over half a million to the canton of Bern
If YB loses the CL clash, the guardians of the Bern treasury can at least celebrate: “It is pleasing for the tax authorities when such games take place in the canton of Bern. Because we can levy a withholding tax on the victory bonus of the foreign teams,” says Claudio Fischer, head of the tax administration for the canton of Bern. The maximum tax rate is 17 percent.
If Mancity wins, the club will receive UEFA victory bonuses of 2.8 million francs. Mancity would therefore have to leave around half a million francs to the Bernese treasury.
If YB should create a sensation and defeat Mancity, there will also be an extra bonus for the tax authorities. Bonuses, ticket sales, sausage and beer: The Young Boys expect income from the Champions League of around 30 million francs.
Legend:
YB players need an exploit to be able to succeed against Manchester City.
Keystone/Peter Klaunzer
«It is clear that we will be able to report a good profit at the end of the year. Accordingly, we will transfer a high tax amount, we expect a seven-figure amount,” says YB CEO Wanja Greuel.
Higher security costs because of CL scoops
The canton of Bern also earns money from the three YB home games in the Champions League. “The canton takes money, YB takes money. That’s how it should be. Anyone who is successful should be rewarded,” says government councilor Philippe Müller to SRF. On the other hand, security costs would increase.
The canton takes in money, YB takes in money. That’s how it should be.
This is because police officers accompany any march by Man City fans and have to ensure security around the stadium. Müller expects security costs of around one million francs for YB’s three Champions League home games.
The bottom line is that the Champions League games should be positive for the canton of Bern – especially if the guests pay tax on their winning bonuses here. Tax administrator Claudio Fischer is neutral on the matter. But in his heart it’s clear to him: “As a resident here, I’m of course keeping my fingers crossed for YB.”