Europe’s top-flight clubs will lose 3.6bn euros (£3.2bn) up to the summer of 2021 because of the impact of coronavirus. It is also projected the wage-to-revenue ratio for 2020-21 will be 70.1%, significantly above the 62.9% it was estimated to be before football shut down in March. The projected figure rises to 76% if the clubs in Europe’s top five leagues – England, Spain, Italy, Germany and France – are removed. The figures have emerged from extensive research carried out by the European Clubs’ Association (ECA) across 10 of Europe’s most significant leagues – including the Premier League and Scottish Premiership – seven of which restarted their seasons after an extended break. “The upcoming transfer market will give us the next indication of the state of football’s health,” said ECA chief executive Charlie Marshall. “The financial impact does not stop when the game resumes. It will continue into the next season and we must take measures to create a more sustainable football industry in the long run.”
