Premier League clubs including Chelsea, Manchester United, Arsenal and Liverpool have received almost four times more revenue than their Spanish counterparts in the last six Champions League campaigns, according to a report from continental consultancy company StageUp. Already recognised as the wealthiest league in world football, the analysis claims that each of the clubs added an average €160 million (£140m) to their accounts since 2003.
The news will no doubt come as a welcome fillip for English football, with voices at the top of the game already warning that Spain’s Primera Division is well placed to usurp their financial dominance due to the impending introduction of a 50 percent tax rate which will severely affect player wage packages.
Chelsea have been deemed the biggest earners, garnering an incredible €180m (£150.8m) of the €3 billion (£2.63bn) that UEFA are said to have given out in prize money to 70 clubs since 2003.
Manchester United, with €171m (£150m), are second, while Arsenal are third and French giants Olympique Lyonnais are fourth, having been rewarded with €131million (£115m).
It is the consistent domination of the so-called ‘big four’ in England that has made them stand out as high earners, while in Spain no less than 10 sides have qualified for the Champions League in the last six seasons.
Champions League finances are given out based on television market share, while the other half is fixed to results and performances, with clubs earning extra income from ticket sales and merchandising.
English domination has also been seen on the pitch, with three clubs from the Premier League competing in the semi-finals of the Champions League for the past three seasons.