Prem clubs count the cost

PREMIER League clubs are facing a massive £177 million combined loss due to lost ticket sales caused by the coronavirus outbreak.

The Daily Mail reported that the 20 Premier League teams had projected incomes of over £700 million from match-day sales this season and 25% of that sum stands to be lost due to the current coronavirus crisis.

Arsenal, Liverpool, Tottenham and Manchester United will be the worst hit clubs by a loss of matchday revenue.

The Red Devils make more than £100 million on matchdays, and that is now under threat, while Arsenal, Liverpool and Spurs’ take of more than £80 million is in jeopardy.

At the other end of the table, clubs such as Burnley and Watford are far more reliant on TV income with cash flow relying on completed fixtures and the broadcast revenue that comes with that.

Eighty three percent of Burnley’s income is from broadcast revenue while the latest Clarets’ accounts revealed that in 2018-19 the club brought in £6.3m in matchday income while Turf chairman Mike Garlick put the potential loss for the remaining home games at £5million in a statement earlier this month.

That means the Clarets are in a better position to cope than some of their Premier League rivals should top flight action return behind closed doors but still be shown live on television.

The outbreak of the virus has caused English football to be delayed and suspended, and while a mid-June return has been put forward, games will have to be played behind closed doors.