The Premier League announced a staggering 70 per cent increase in the value of its British television rights for the 2016-19 seasons yesterday with Sky and BT Sports paying a combined £5.136 billion to show games.

The new deals will see even more money flood in to the top flight, with the broadcasters paying more than £10m to screen each game.

It leaves the rest of club football across the world far behind in terms of domestic television income compared with the Premier League, which also still has the lucrative overseas deals to negotiate.

The new deal will see the team finishing bottom receive just under £100m while the champions will pocket £156m.

Sky has held on to five of the seven packages totalling 126 matches including the new Friday night slot for 10 games, while BT Sport has two packages making up 42 matches.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore said: “Premier League clubs deliver competitive and compelling football to fans in stadiums and on television, driving interest levels to new heights.

“Last season saw record levels of attendance with the highest top-flight crowds since 1949-50, as well as increased viewing figures across all our UK rights-holders.

“Both Sky Sports and BT

Sport have done a tremendous job in bringing the game to the fans as well as providing the revenue that allows clubs to invest in football, facilities, youth development and their communities.

“It is an endorsement of what the Premier League delivers that these broadcast partnerships have been extended and enhanced today. We are grateful for the continued belief that Sky Sports and BT Sport have in the Premier League and our clubs, both as a sporting competition and organisations to work with.”

Scudamore went on to suggest that the new deal will allow clubs to continue to offer “flexible ticketing policies.

“This structure also allows us to strike a balance between match-attending fans and those who choose to watch on television. Keeping grounds full is a priority for the Premier League and our clubs and I am sure the flexible ticketing policies that have helped keep attendances so high will continue to develop.”

But people on social media were not fooled by his comments and immediately raised questions as to where exactly teams will spend this extra income, with ex-footballers and current journalists suggesting the money should be used to subsidise ticket prices or be funneled back into grassroots football.

Gary Neville tweeted: “I want sensible ticket pricing and grassroots football to benefit as much as possible from this deal.”

While Labour’s shadow sports minister Clive Efford demanded that a significant portion of the extra income should go to grassroots football and said it would be “criminal” if this didn’t happen.