The English FA Premiership is the premier league in the world in financial terms, according to a report compiled by leading British chartered accountants Deloitte & Touche. The Premiership outguns both Italy's Serie A and Spain's Primera Liga.

Income from English professional leagues has jumped £160 million to £675.7 million overall, with the largest jump, £118 million, coming from the Premiership.

But it is not all good news for English soccer, with the Nationwide Football League Divisions One, Two and Three combining to lose £27.9 million.

Gerry Boon, the editor of the report, said: "The financial divide between the Premiership and Football League is turning from gap, to chasm, to abyss. Worse still, the desire to bridge that abyss is tempting many Football League clubs to live beyond their means, often with disastrous consequences if the gamble doesn't pay off." Is rugby listening?