Concern as wages reach €1.5bn in top flight

WAGES at Premier League clubs have shown a worrying 11% leap to £1.3 billion (€1.5bn) overall, according to an annual report of football finance.

Business analysts Deloitte’s report claims the rise is a concern because wages last year accounted for 67% of the turnover of all 20 clubs – a notable increase after a decade where the proportion had stayed between 58% and 62%.

Experts believe the change could pose a problem to the English top flight with UEFA’s new rules saying that from 2012 clubs in European competition will only be allowed to spend what they earn.