The benefits the Premier League brings to communities up and down the country has been highlighted. Earlier this year a study by EY highlighted how the Premier League and its clubs have continued to generate widespread benefits for the economy, society and the entire football pyramid, despite the significant challenges presented by Covid-19. The analysis reveals that Premier League football contributed £7.6billion to the UK economy during the 2019/20 season, which was suspended for more than three months due to the pandemic.

The success of the Premier League is shared throughout the English football pyramid and the entire nation, confirms the report. The revenue it generates is invested in the game at all levels and in communities the length and breadth of England and Wales. The EY report highlights that in 2019/20 the League redistributed 15 per cent of its income in solidarity and parachute payments to 138 EFL and National League clubs, as well as to wider grassroots and community football.

"The funding the Premier League provides to the wider game is world-leading in its scale when compared to other leagues and sports," says the report. "Premier League Kicks is one of the most established programmes of its type, using the power of clubs to engage young people aged 8-18 in physical activity over the last 15 years, particularly targeting high-need areas."

This 15 per cent share has been distributed outside the Premier League for a number of years and forms a significant part of funding for clubs in the lower leagues as well as for the 66 clubs in the National League below the EFL. In 2019/20, this amounted to £455million, and Premier League distributions formed 47 per cent of the total revenue of Championship clubs, 32 per cent of League One clubs' revenues and 24 per cent of League Two clubs' income.

See more on the Premier League website here.