The Political Economy of Football V2

The 2019 Deloitte Money League report shows that aggregate revenue for the top 20 Money League clubs rose 6% to €7.9 billion (£6.8 billion) in 2016/17, a new record, with the top three clubs – Manchester United, FC Barcelona and Real Madrid – earning a combined revenue of €2 billion for the first time. Manchester United retained top spot for a second consecutive year, generating total revenue of €676m (£581m). This year’s battle for first place was the closest in Money League history, just €1.7m (£1.5m) separated Manchester United and second place Real Madrid: United’s win in the Europa League Final proving critical in the club topping the list for a tenth time. Their Europa League campaign generated £39m. In a statement, Deloitte Sports Business Group partner Dan Jones said: 'United's ability to retain first position is all the more impressive against the backdrop of the weakened pound against the euro. With both Real Madrid and Barcelona forecasting further revenue growt...

It's been one of the longest wrangles in contemporary football, but the efforts of Queens Park Rangers to avoid paying a £41m financial fair play (FFP) fine have reached a new stage after the club lost their latest legal challenge. However, the saga is by no means over. An arbitration panel of three QC's has dismissed the club's claim that the Football League's 2012 financial fair play rules were illegal under competition law and that the fine was disproportionate. QPR were relegated in 2015 after one season in the top flight. In 2012, the Football League's FFP rules restricted clubs to losses of £8m per year. New rules were implemented last season that allow losses of £39m over three seasons. The former rules were thought to be too draconian and the new rules harmonised them with those of the Premier League. The club announced losses of £9.8m for the 2013-14 season when they won promotion via the play offs. However, they wrote off £60m in loans as exceptional...