[yucky]

Italy can't control what others pay, but using your example does Italy pay all of their players the same, or do they generally pay more money to their better players?

[bombolo]

But it can control wages, and seems they are above market rate? Which of course means that wages aren't adjusted by merit.

[yucky]

This is 100% incorrect. They do not pay all of their players the same. The better players make more money.

[bombolo]

> The better players make more money.

Shouldn't the better players qualify for tournaments then? Are you being obtuse on purpose?