BUSINESS SIDE

The number may rise as Liverpool, previously approached by ex-Thai Prime Minister and telecommunications tycoon Thaksin Shinawatra, continues takeover talks with American entrepreneur George Gillett.

Of Europe's top five soccer-playing nations, German clubs had the largest average league match attendance last season at 40,800 per game.

England were second with an average of 33,800 followed by Spain, 28,500, France, 21,700 and Italy, 21,500.

However, English clubs generate the highest television revenues at an estimated 564 million pounds ($1.08 billion) per season from 2007-08.

"Premiership club brands benefit from their great exposure," Switzer said.

"The global appeal of the Premiership is illustrated by the expected 50 per cent increase in overseas TV rights for the new deals from 2007-08."

English clubs are also more accessible to foreign businessmen than their European counterparts because a number of them are publicly-owned companies listed on the Stock Exchange.

"The largest Spanish clubs are owned by their members which makes them more difficult to take over than the listed clubs. Some Italian clubs are listed but others are held by powerful Italian figures or companies who to date have not wished to sell," Switzer added.

The trend has been welcomed by Premier League spokesman Dan Johnson who said that although clubs were not run on a break-even basis and businessmen risked losing millions, owners ultimately wanted returns on their team's performances.

"Roman Abramovich has lost a lot of money investing heavily in the best coaches and players as well as Chelsea's training facilities and academy programme.

"You make money by success on the pitch so the owners are pulling the same way as the fans. They want to get the best team and best results," he said.

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