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Ben Hayes - Charlton Athletic programme

The Premiership

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Chelsea settles £6m tax bill

Submitted by WG on Sun, 12/02/2012 - 11:45

Chelsea have paid £6.4m to settle an investigation by Revenue and Customs into player payments.  The settlement arose from an investigation into 'image rights' payments in football.


These provide a means by which players can reduce their tax bills.   They get two contracts from their club, one for their salary as a player and the other for earnings from replica shirts and other merchandise.   These royalties are paid into a company and are therefore liable for corporation tax which is lower than income tax.

Transfer window spending down by 70 per cent

Submitted by WG on Wed, 01/02/2012 - 16:56

The transfer window report from business advisory firm Deloitte calculates that Premier League clubs spent around £60m, a decline of 70 per cent on the record level of £225m in January 2011 (admittedly something of an aberration).


Dan Jones, a partner in the Sports Business Group at Deloitte, saw Uefa's financial fair play rules as a factor in the comparative restraint of clubs and a more sober level of spending among Premier League clubs.

Chelsea losses remain high

Submitted by WG on Wed, 01/02/2012 - 10:17

Chelsea FC has announced losses for last season of £67.7m compared with £70.9m the previous year despite a record turnover of £222.3m bosted by the increase in Champions League and broadcasting revenue.  

They are still some way short of complying with Uefa's financial fair play regulations.  By now the club was supposed to be breaking even.   However, chairman Bruce Buck claimed that the club's free spending days were over, noting 'We would expect this to be reflected in our results for the current financial year.'

Dull transfer window

Submitted by WG on Mon, 30/01/2012 - 08:20

Whilst anything could happen in the last 36 hours, and no doubt there will be some down to the wire surprises, this looks like being of the dullest transfer windows ever.   The inexorable rise in transfer fees and wages seems to have halted.

New kit deal boosts Liverpool

Submitted by WG on Fri, 20/01/2012 - 08:33

Liverpool have been boosted by their £150m six year kit deal with American company Warrior.   Current manufacturers Adidas had claimed that the club was asking too much and had priced themselevs out of the market.


This is the first season since 1999/2000 that Liverpool have not competed in Europe but managing director Ian Ayre believes that the club's global appeal gives them the financial muscle to absorb revenue lost from missing out on European football.

Baggies record £9m profit

Submitted by WG on Fri, 20/01/2012 - 08:09

It's a rare thing when a football club makes any profit, let alone a substantial one, but West Bromwich Albion have done just that.   The club made a profit of £9m in the year to 30 June 2011 after a successful first year back in the Premier League which saw them finish 11th.   As a result the club was able to reduce its net debt from £10m to £2m.

Surviving on a budget

Submitted by WG on Wed, 18/01/2012 - 08:13

Both Norwich City and Swansea City are doing well in the Premiership this year despite operating on a low budget.  How is this possible?

Liverpool go for original stadium design

Submitted by WG on Tue, 17/01/2012 - 11:13

Liverpool have decided to opt for an upgraded and modernised version of their original stadium rather than go for the futuristic designs favoured by former owners Tom Hicks and George Gillett Jnr.   This means that they will not incur further delays by having to seek planning permission again.

Relegation would pose financial questions at Bolton

Submitted by WG on Sat, 14/01/2012 - 09:00

Relegation is never good news financially for any club, but it would pose special challenges at Bolton.   The club is bankrolled by low profile Isle of Man-based owner Eddie Davies who made his fortune in kettle thermostats.   All the club's debt is essentially owned by him and he is there for the long term.

Top clubs could pull out of Champions League

Submitted by WG on Fri, 13/01/2012 - 18:36

Top European clubs could ultimately decide to leave Uefa and the Champions League and form their own breakway competition as a solution to the constraints imposed by the Financial Fair Play regulations.   There is a growing fear, exemplified by the move of Nicholas Anelka, possibly to be followed by Didier Drogba, that financial power in football may start to shift from Europe to Asia.