Premier League wages keep on rising (1 Viewer)

[Coventry La La La]

The proportion of income that Premier League clubs spend on wages hit a record 68% in 2009-10, a report into football finances by Deloitte says.

While Manchester United spent 46% of its revenue on pay, rivals Manchester City splashed out a massive 107%.

Chelsea again topped the wages bill, as they have done every season since 2002-03, at £174m.

"This new high is worrying, something Uefa's financial fair play rules should address," said Deloitte's Dan Jones.

It comes as the Deloitte report shows Premier League revenues increased by 2% to exceed £2bn for the first time in the 2009-10 season.

'Middle tier'

Mr Jones said there were signs of wage discipline in clubs near the bottom of the Premier League, while those near the top earned such large revenues that it helped them keep the wage ratios down.

"The problem is with the middle tier of clubs, those who are neither chasing a Uefa place or facing relegation," said Mr Jones.

"And of course Manchester City and Chelsea are going to need to get wages under control for the financial fair play rules."

Those rules, which encourage football teams to balance revenues and costs, will start taking account of clubs' finances from next season.

To obtain a Uefa licence to play in the Champions League or Europa League, a club has to meet those break-even financial requirements.