REAL MADRID remain the richest club in Europe, extending their unbeaten run to 11 years, according to Deloitte’s football money league. Their arch-rivals Barcelona have closed the gap significantly over the past year, leapfrogging Manchester United into second place after a hugely successful season in which they won their domestic league, a cup and a European trophy. English clubs increasingly dominate the ranking. Thanks to a lucrative broadcasting deal agreed in 2012, there are now nine Premier League clubs in the world’s top 20, and 17 in the top 30. An even more substantial £5bn ($7bn) deal will kick in next season, leading Deloitte to proclaim that Real’s rule may finally be coming to an end, with Manchester United set for next year’s top spot.
