English football faces strain between money and fans' needs, says report
The Annual Review of Football Finance painted an overall picture of a booming industry, pointing out that the European football market was worth a record £32.2bn in 2023-24. More than £16.9bn of that was generated by the 'big five' leagues, with the Premier League alone recording revenues of £6.3bn. Deloitte cautioned, though, that those numbers do not tell the full tale of a game caught between its community roots and the requirement for continued growth. 'There can be no doubt that the system in English football is under strain,' said Tim Bridge, lead partner at Deloitte sports business group, in the report's foreword. 'Repeated reports of fan unrest at ticket price and accessibility demonstrate the challenge in the modern era of balancing commercial growth with the historic essence of a football club's role and position in society: as a community asset.'
A bill to create the independent football regulator went through its second reading in parliament last month. It could transform the game's governance but Bridge cited the gap between Premier League and Championship finances as a problem that must be addressed. 'It is clear that the way in which the game is governed and the regulation that underpins it needs to seek to drive value, fan engagement [both physical and digital] and competitive balance,' he said.
'The two most recent seasons underscore the challenge, as in each season, all three clubs promoted from the Championship were subsequently relegated after just one season in the Premier League. The financial implications of the 'yo-yo effect' on clubs, their spending, and overall competitiveness are major factors to address in order to continue attracting high levels of investment across the system.'
The hope is that the regulator can begin its work this autumn, although roadblocks include a likely inquiry into the government's choice for its chair, David Kogan. Bridge pointed out that the uncertainty about its form rings alarm bells for investors. 'The level of interest and the demand to engage with English football remains high and investors still see the opportunity, particularly when there is a strong community link or adjacent investment opportunities, but the lack of clarity over the future regulatory regime is now unhelpful,' he said.
He noted that other 'big five' leagues – those of France, Germany, Italy and Spain – are monitoring the regulator's possible effects, seeing it as a potential opportunity to close the financial chasm that has opened between England's top flight and the rest. The Premier League's aggregate revenue was almost double the £3.2bn recorded by La Liga, its nearest competitor.
Sign up to Football Daily
Kick off your evenings with the Guardian's take on the world of football
after newsletter promotion
Premier League clubs' aggregate operating profit grew to more than £500m in 2023-24, the report showed, but net debt was up 12% to £3.5bn. Revenues in the Championship soared by a notable 28% to £958m, but all of the division's clubs recorded operating losses. 'Long-term strategies must be established to ensure financial stability across the league,' Bridge said.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
24 minutes ago
- The Independent
Luke Littler hammers Ryan Searle on World Matchplay debut
Luke Littler stormed through to the second round of his debut World Matchplay with a 10-2 rout of Ryan Searle. Littler, the second seed on his first appearance at Blackpool's Winter Gardens, looked like a man in a hurry as he jumped out to a 6-0 lead. And although Searle was able to get on the board late on, there was never going to be any way back against Littler, who averaged nearly 109. 'I was well up for tonight,' Littler said on Sky Sports. 'I wanted that win, to get that winning feeling and I've done it in some standard.' After revealing earlier this week he had failed his driving theory test for a fourth time, Littler said he has not been doing his homework for that as he has been keeping his focus on his game, adding: 'I've got a competition to focus on.' 'I've been practising so much,' he said. 'Obviously I've not put much on social media but I've been at home putting the hours in, hours and hours, and I'm glad it's paid off tonight.' Fifth seed Jonny Clayton survived a tough contest against Martin Schindler to prevail 10-7, despite the German putting up better numbers for much of the contest. Clayton's average was 99.60 compared to Schindler's 103.45 but the Welshman picked his moments to advance. 'I am here, I want to win this tournament,' Clayton said. 'Hopefully it is going to be my week. I love it when I pass the first round.' Earlier 13th seed Gary Anderson saw off Luke Woodhouse 10-5 despite a spectacular 167 checkout from the Englishman. Four seeds were sent home during Sunday's afternoon session as further shocks followed Saturday's exits of top seed Luke Humphries and eighth seed Nathan Aspinall. Seventh seed Damon Heta fell to Andrew Gilding in a contest that went to overtime, with Gilding eventually prevailing 12-10 after a late fightback came to nothing for Heta. Gilding advances to face Dirk van Duijvenbode, who saw off 10th seed Rob Cross 10-8 after rallying from 6-2 down in a remarkable contest. Jermaine Wattimena beat 15th seed Peter Wright 10-8 while Mike De Decker beat 12th seed Dave Chisnall 10-7.
The Sun
25 minutes ago
- The Sun
Keir Starmer's end-of-term report card is in and it makes for grim reading – he has three big problems
IT is the end of the school year and Parliament is shutting down for the summer holidays. But if Sir Keir Starmer is hoping to spend August in his swimming trunks larking about by the pool, he should think again. 1 The PM's end-of-term report card is in — and it makes for grim reading. The economy is shrinking, his popularity is plummeting and his pesky backbenchers are busy rebelling. The only thing on the up in Britain is illegal immigration and crime. Across the board, Sir Keir and his chums in Labour's class of 2024 are at risk of scoring straight Fs — and failing the British public. In Opposition, Keir Starmer campaigned like a swotty prefect. Dull, yes, but a safe pair of hands who promised to fix broken Britain and restore integrity in politics. But in No10 he has been more Dunce than headboy. The PM has a big problem with his three Rs: Reeves, recession and rebellions. He must master each of these to turn things around. Let's start with Rachel Reeves. On the campaign trail she promised the most 'pro-business' government in British history, and cosplayed Margaret Thatcher by declaring herself the 'Iron Chancellor'. PM vows to drastically increase the numbers of channel migrants sent back to France But once safely tucked up in the Treasury, she dropped a £40billion tax bomb on us — clobbering businesses with that crippling NICs hike. The results were predictable. Britain's economy has gone from the fastest-growing in the G7 to one that is SHRINKING after the tax rises kicked in. Unemployment numbers are up and struggling businesses are thinking twice before hiring because of the eye- watering costs. You don't have to be a maths whizz to work out the numbers don't add up. If Keir Starmer is not careful he could end up with another big problem — a recession. Labour has always had a bad reputation with money. The problem is simple: They love spending money but are rubbish at making it. Now, Labour MPs are busy clamouring for a new wealth tax. ('What wealth?', I hear you cry.) This would be a grave mistake. Eye-watering costs If you squeeze people and businesses with higher and higher taxes they will stop spending, stop hiring, and stop investing. That is how we have ended up in this doom-loop where people feel poorer and cut back on treats like holidays and dinners out. It hacks away at people's happiness and optimism. If you work hard but life isn't getting better, your local pub or shop is closing down, and your kids have fewer opportunities than you had, then what's the point of the Government? If the Starmer regime plunges Britain into recession within its first 18 months in power then it is hard to see how Labour recovers. Which brings me to the third R — rebellions. Labour MPs won by a landslide a year ago, but they have already got a taste for mutiny. The recent welfare rebellion forced No10 into yet another humiliating U-turn and left a £5billion hole in the Budget. Last week Starmer hit back — suspending four rebel MPs for what one insider called 'persistent knobheadery'. I've seen the past four PMs torn down by bitter party feuding. Voters handed Labour a giant majority for a reason: They want change. If the Government fails to deliver it, voters will flock elsewhere. And Nigel Farage's Reform UK party is lurking on the horizon. But Keir Starmer CAN turn things around — it is not too late to turn those Fs into As. First he must stand by Rachel Reeves as Chancellor. Yes, she has made big mistakes, but she knows the importance of providing certainty and stability for the market. Another Labour Chancellor might bring in a wealth tax and go on an even bigger spending splurge. That would be a terrible mistake. Next, he must stop punishing businesses. No more big tax hikes. No more suffocating red tape. Having a wobble Restrictive licensing laws should be torn up. Incentives to take over empty shops should be brought in. Third, he must take on the rebels. No PM can be a hostage to his backbenchers. He must be free to lead. But, to do this, Keir must be braver and make the big arguments. He must stop trying to sneak in piecemeal reform by the back door. On welfare, he should come back with a package of measures that ends the scandal of teenagers and young adults being signed off work for anxiety, depression and bad nerves. It is killing their life chances with misplaced kindness. It is not too late for the Government to turn things around. As any parent of a spotty teenager will tell Keir, lots of people have a wobble in their first year. But the PM must pull his socks up, hit the books this summer and come back next term with bigger and better ideas. Otherwise, as one of my old teachers once told me, he risks slipping into obscurity. And he will have failed Britain. THERE is a long hot summer ahead of us and that can only mean one thing – more crime. Shoplifting, phone snatching, stabbings. Brits are sick to the back teeth with it all. A shocking poll in yesterday's Sun on Sunday revealed that half of voters think the country is becoming lawless. That is a stat to keep politicians and police chiefs awake at night. Nigel Farage and Reform UK will spend the summer shining a light on our crime-blighted streets and promising to restore law and order. Keir Starmer should be worried. People want their neighbourhoods cleaned up. If Labour can't do it, they will vote for a party that can.
BreakingNews.ie
25 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Marcus Rashford takes to the skies as Barcelona move appears close
Marcus Rashford appears to be closing in on his anticipated move to Barcelona after posting pictures of himself travelling on a private plane. Following Rashford's post, Spanish media reported that the Manchester United forward had arrived in Catalonia at around 9.30pm local time. Advertisement The PA news agency understands United and Barcelona have been in talks over a season-long loan deal for Rashford that would include an option to buy. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Marcus Rashford (@marcusrashford) The 27-year-old has not played for his boyhood club since being hauled off in a Europa League match away to Viktoria Plzen on December 12 and ended the season on loan at Aston Villa. Rashford is among five players to have informed United they wish to explore a future away from Old Trafford, where he came through the academy and scored 138 goals in 426 first-team appearances. He has been training away from Ruben Amorim's first team since pre-season began while seeking a fresh start elsewhere. Advertisement In December, the England international admitted he was 'ready for a new challenge' and last month revealed he would like to play alongside Barcelona's teenage prodigy Lamine Yamal. Marcus Rashford finished last season on loan at Aston Villa (Jacob King/PA) Barcelona sporting director Deco in May told Catalan radio station RAC1 that the club 'like' Rashford, who does not have a squad number at United having lost the 10 shirt to new signing Matheus Cunha. Cunha is one of two new signings at United this summer, with the club having also added left-back Diego Leon. Bryan Mbeumo is set to join them at Old Trafford, with the Cameroon forward in the final stages of completing his move after United finally struck a deal with Brentford worth £65million plus up to £6million in add-ons. Advertisement United have been approached for comment.
