Real Madrid, Barcelona dominate list of soccer's richest clubs for 3rd year

The annual review of soccer finance by Deloitte shows Madrid topping the list for the seventh straight year with revenue of 479.5 million (US$636.5 million) to the year ending June 30, an increase of 9 percent on the previous 12 months.

English champion Manchester United was again in third place with 367 million euros (US$487.2 million), the highest of four English clubs in the top 10 earners. Bayern Munich was fourth with 321.4 million euros (US$426.6 million), with Arsenal, Chelsea, AC Milan, Inter Milan, Liverpool and Schalke next.

One more year at the top for Madrid would equal United's No. 1 streak from 1997-2004 but the accountancy firm says on-field success could yet push Barcelona into first place next year.

Barcelona trails Madrid by seven points in the Spanish league but its revenue increased 13 percent to 451 million euros (US$599 million) and it could rise further if the team retains the Champions League title.

Defending Spanish and European champion Barcelona receives about 30 million euros (US$40 million) per season in a sponsorship deal from the Qatar Foundation and earned 51 million euros (US$68 million) from the Champions League, beating United 3-1 in last season's final at Wembley Stadium.

It can already count on 3.5 million euros (US$4.65 million) toward next year's total after winning FIFA's Club World Cup in December.

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