Footballers’ pay up 1,500% in 50 years

Top Premier League footballers have seen pay rises of 1,500% over the past 50 years, many times more than the 186% increase in average wages in Britain, according to a new study.

Players’ wages now account for up to 70% of a club’s turnover, compared with 48% in 1997, research by the High Pay Centre think tank showed.

Fans are paying the price for “excessive” wages, with the cheapest available ticket for top games rising by more than 1,000% since 1989, the report found.