The Guardian- 25 April 2012 Chelsea have guaranteed the biggest-ever television money windfall from the Champions League after beating Barcelona to make the final.

The club will earn at least £45m, with a further £2.8m to come if they win the trophy, from Uefa's payments of TV cash alone. Clubs can then double that income from ticket sales, sponsorship and merchandise.

Manchester United had previously held the record pay-out of Champions League TV money at £43.5m last season, but this year earned only £28m as a result of failing to qualify for the knockout stages.

Arsenal's earnings were £22.7m this year – £2m less than the previous season – while Manchester City's £21.3m shows the difference with the Europa League where last season they earned £4.5m.

If Chelsea do triumph in the final and finish outside the top four in the Premier League, they will take the place of the fourth-placed team – currently Newcastle – in next season's Champions League.That would be a huge financial boost to the Roman Abramovich-owned team, and a major blow of at least £20m to whoever misses out.

The four English clubs have been top of the Champions League payments for years due to the size of the TV deals paid by Sky and ITV, and collectively earned a total of £130m in television money from the competition this season – but £13m less than last season due to poorer performances generally.

However, Chelsea's guaranteed £45m compares with £36m last season when they reached the quarter-finals.

Uefa calculate the distribution based on participation and performance bonuses, and half on TV market share.

Each club in the group stage gets a £3.2m participation payment plus £450,000 for each group match played. A further £650,000 is paid for each group win or £325,000 for a draw.

A place in the round of 16 earns £2.45m, the quarter-finals £2.7m, and the semis £3.5m, with £4.6m to the losing finalist and £7.4m to the winner.

The TV market share depends on the value of each country's TV deal and is split among the four English clubs on the basis of how many games they each played in the Champions League.

2011-12 Champions League earnings

Chelsea £45m (£47.8m if they win the final). Last season: £36m

Manchester United £28m. Last season: £43m

Arsenal £22.7m. Last season: £24.7m

Manchester City £21.3m. Last season: £4.5m{jcomments on}

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The Guardian- 26 January 2012

Sepp Blatter has claimed Michel Platini is "ready" to succeed him as the head of Fifa – and that the Frenchman will make a good president of the game's world governing body.