Uefa in line for finals windfall

Times are hard but football’s gravy train rolls on.

Four years ago Uefa’s income from the European Championships reached a staggering €1.3 billion — 50% more than in 2004 and more than five times the previous total. Net profits — after the so-called solidarity payments to Uefa members — reached €250 million.

There will almost certainly be less to salt away in the Swiss bank vaults this time. Prize money this time is €196m, only €12 million more than in 2008. But this time there are other mouths to feed.