Spain to debate reversing 'Beckham Law' tax rule

MADRID (AP) Spain is set to begin debating whether to put an end to the "Beckham Law" that allows foreign football players to pay nearly half as much tax as regular citizens.

The governing Socialist party made a pact in parliament Tuesday with two other parties to debate whether foreign players who earn at least 600,000 ($883,000) should pay 43 percent tax instead of the current 24 percent.

The law was named after former Real Madrid player David Beckham. The England midfielder was the first foreigner to arrive after the law came into effect in 2004.

Spanish league president Jose Luis Astiazaran told The AP that players may opt to move countries if the law is changed, adding that it could "kill" the league.

Updated November 3, 2009