The price of conflict and art

The facts and figures contained in the just published accounts of the Premier League for the 2011/12 season will do little to soften the view that the game is awash with silly money, not least the revelation that in recording total losses of €422 million, the 20 clubs are, to quote one benign interpretation, “generally becoming better run financially” — a qualified thumbs-up based on the fact the figure was down from €566 million at the end of the previous season.

So that’s alright then.

Amidst all the eye-watering detail — I was particularly struck by the small print showing that the clubs paid out €90 million to agents — the obvious headline-grabber was the news that more than two-thirds of the Premier League’s €2.8 billion income in 2011/12 was gobbled up by players’ wages, accounting for 67% of turnover.