“Although France is the cradle of motorsport, international competition, particularly in terms of labor costs, and the globalization of sport, are weakening this position”explains Xavier Malenfer, director of institutional and international relations at the FIA in a joint press release. “Without clarification, through the recognition of a specific status for international sports federations, there is little hope of seeing the activities of the FIA develop further, despite all the incontestable assets of Paris”he continues.
“The major obstacle identified to this French attractiveness: the absence of their own legal status for international federations”
FIFA, FIA and IFAF
At the end of 2023, the French executive attempted to pass into the 2024 budget a law containing tax provisions intended to attract international sports federations recognized by the IOC to France, primarily football. Since June 2021, FIFA, created in Paris in 1904 and headquartered in Zurich in Switzerland, has had a Paris branch, responsible for relations with the federations and technical cooperation in favor of the development of football. The French capital also houses a clearing house responsible in particular for solidarity mechanisms. A first step before possibly moving its entire headquarters to France.
But in December 2023, the Constitutional Council censored this advantageous tax regime, invoking equality before taxes and thus calling into question the installation of these federations.
“The major obstacle identified to this French attractiveness: the absence of their own legal status for international federations. Under French law, they have the status of associations, and cannot be considered either as international organizations or as companies. Which has concrete consequences on their activities, their taxation, and, ultimately, on their interest in being in France”explain FIFA, the FIA and the IFAF, the international federation of American football, brought together by Sporsora, which brings together sports stakeholders, Tuesday evening, during a conference dedicated to the status of international federations.
