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Premier League clubs could miss out on nearly half a billion prize money if season is abandoned, causing transfer chaos


PREMIER LEAGUE clubs could miss out on more than £400million if the season is abandoned, according to reports.

No top-flight games will take place for three weeks as coronavirus wiped out professional football in England until after the international break this morning.

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 Liverpool and the rest of the Premier League clubs could miss out on more than £400m of prize money

Liverpool and the rest of the Premier League clubs could miss out on more than £400m of prize money

And now according to The Athletic, the Premier League and EFL do not have to pay out prize money in the event of the campaign not being completed.

Liverpool are currently 25 points clear of City at the top of the league and have nine games left of their season, putting them on the brink of a first league crown for 30 years.

But due to the unprecedented events unfolding, no one is entirely sure what will happen next.

Manchester City pocketed £38.4m in prize money for picking up the title last term.

Jurgen Klopp’s side earned around £36.5m – approximately £2m less than the champions.

Then moving down the table, each team earned around £2m less than the team above them, right down to bottom-side Huddersfield Town who got about £1.9m.

The total fund, therefore, stood at £403.3m for the 20 clubs.

As well as the merit payments directly from the Premier League, clubs also pocket money through the equal share – around £34m for all 20 clubs last season – TV revenue for domestic and international broadcasting and a central commercial revenue.

Those various incomes combined meant Manchester City got around £151million in total prize money last season, with second-placed Liverpool getting £1m more.

And the lack of funds coming in at clubs could then cause havoc as they look to bolster their squads in the transfer window.

No Premier League, EFL, WSL or England international matches will go ahead until April 3 after a decision was made following emergency talks.

SunSport understands that before the Premier League made its decision, two clubs – understood to include a few currently fighting relegation – asked for the league to be cancelled.

But that remains firmly off the agenda at this stage.

With Uefa poised to confirm it will postpone Euro 2020 for 12 months and allow domestic leagues to stretch into the middle of summer, the Prem will seek to take advantage of the extended window and – if possible – restart and play out the remaining games.

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta and Chelsea star Callum Hudson-Odoi have tested positive for coronavirus.

Today Everton and Bournemouth joined Chelsea, Arsenal, Leicester and Watford in putting their squads into self-isolation.

In a statement, the Premier League said: “Premier League, FA, EFL and WSL have collectively agreed to postpone the professional game in England.

“Following a meeting of Shareholders today, it was unanimously decided to suspend the Premier League with the intention of returning on 4 April, subject to medical advice and conditions at the time.

“Premier League Chief Executive Richard Masters said: ‘Above all, we wish Mikel Arteta and Callum Hudson-Odoi speedy recoveries, and everyone else affected by COVID-19.

“In this unprecedented situation, we are working closely with our clubs, Government, The FA and EFL and can reassure everyone the health and welfare of players, staff and supporters are our priority.’

“Despite the challenges, it is the Premier League’s aim to reschedule the displaced fixtures, including those played by Academy sides, when it is safe to do so. In this fast-moving environment, further updates will be provided when appropriate.”

Premier League and EFL suspended for three weeks over coronavirus after crisis talks


Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk


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