Premier League Clubs Count the Cost of the World Cup

EMB research shows top stars are more likely to fall prey to long-term injuries in coming season

EPSOM, UK, May 28, 2010 - English Premier League clubs are likely to find themselves GBP15-20
million out-of-pocket in lost wages due to the extra injuries suffered by
their players in the 2010/11 season after taking part in this summer's
World Cup.

Actuarial consultancy, EMB, has found that players selected for their
national squads in South Africa are likely to receive 32% more long-term
injuries* than those who watch the tournament from a sun lounger. This is
based on analysis of six seasons, including those immediately before and
after the last two World Cups.

The vast majority of the cost will be borne by the "big" six clubs.
Chelsea alone has 16 players in the provisional squads and given the club's
high wage bill, extra injuries could cost the club around GBP4 million.
However, 117 Premier League players are included in the initial selections of
27 of the 32 teams, with over 100 expected to make it on to the planes bound
for South Africa.

By comparison, the numbers involved mean the cost will be less
significant for the other major leagues. The Bundesliga in Germany has the
next highest number of players in the provisional squads with 93. In
addition, Bundesliga players benefit from a long winter break giving them the
rest needed to avoid fatigue and therefore injuries later in the league
season.

EMB director, Paul Murray, said: "The results highlight the true cost of
World Cup finals to Premier League clubs, with players who don't get much
rest over the summer becoming more susceptible to injury in the following
season."

He added that the financial impact could be much higher than the pure
cost in wages. "If injuries to key players early in the season were to affect
qualification for the knockout stages of the Champions League, clubs could
lose up to GBP25 million in prize money plus the commercial spin-offs from
winning trophies."

While personal accident sports cover is available, typically kicking in
30 days after the injury, there is disagreement on who should pay the
premiums. A number of English clubs do purchase cover, but are increasingly
demanding that national associations should pick up the cost for injuries
incurred on international duty. After Michael Owen suffered a knee injury
minutes into the 2006 World Cup, Newcastle successfully recouped close to
GBP10 million from the Football Association and FIFA, the international
governing body, but not without a battle.

Paul Murray said, "In reality, many national associations, particularly
those in Africa, would struggle to meet the cost of covering the wages of the
likes of Michael Essien, Didier Drogba and Kolo Toure."

One solution to the competing demands of club and international football
could be for continental football federations such as UEFA to buy cover and
recover costs from all member nations in an equitable manner. However some
poorer federations would still struggle to afford cover for their top stars
on very high wages at clubs like Chelsea and Manchester City. Unless FIFA
offers to cover the clubs' insurance costs for injuries while with their
national teams, disputes will continue.

Regardless of progress in this area, clubs like Chelsea will lose out
from the extra injuries caused by the wear and tear of a World Cup
tournament. Since the extra injuries noted by EMB will occur when players
have returned to their clubs, there will be no redress from FIFA or other
bodies anyway.

* Where a player is away from full training for at least 30 days.

NOTES TO EDITORS

About EMB

EMB is an award-winning international actuarial and business consultancy
and software provider.

Best known as an advisor to non-life insurers, an area in which it works
with 28 of the top 30 companies in the world, it also has developed its core
analytical and predictive modelling capabilities to move into other business
sectors and functions, such as banking and asset management, fraud prevention
and marketing.

EMB employs more than 300 people around the globe and staff numbers have
more than doubled in the past five years.

Web: www.emb.com

For more information, please contact Graham Whitehead at EMB: Tel: +44(0)-1372-751060 or +44(0)7827-953969, Email: graham.whitehead at emb.com; Mark Baylis: Tel: +44(0)-7775-693994,
Email: markbaylis at aol.com