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Real Madrid and Barcelona are the world's two richest football clubs, according to Deloitte's football money league.

Based on ticket sales, merchandising and television contracts for the 2005/06 season, the auditor places the Spanish clubs at the top of its annual rich list with revenues of £202 million and £179.1 million respectively.

Manchester United are England's highest-ranked representatives at four, one place behind fallen Turin giants Juventus, but the Premiership dominates the rich list overall with eight clubs named in the top 20.

Real and Barca are La Liga's sole entrants on the list, with Italy and Germany providing a further three each, as well as one team from the Scottish, French and Portuguese leagues.

Commenting on the current English Premiership league leaders' position in the rich list, Deloitte's Paul Rawnsley said: "Manchester United may be in fourth position this year, but with the completion of their stadium development we can expect them to move back up the list in 2006/07.

"It is also notable that United remain the most profitable club football operation in the world."

Dan Jones, a partner in Deloitte's sports business group, added that the make-up of the money league, which does not take into account player transfers, was "underpinned" by lucrative television contracts.

Deloitte's ten richest football clubs and 2005/06 season revenue

1 Real Madrid £202 million
2 Barcelona £179.1 million
3 Juventus £173.7 million
4 Manchester United £167.8 million
5 AC Milan £165 million
6 Chelsea £152.8 million
7 Inter Milan £142.8 million
8 Bayern Munich £141.5 million
9 Arsenal £133 million
10 Liverpool £121.7 million
11 Lyon £84.2 million
12 Roma £83.8 million
13 Newcastle United £82 million
14 Schalke £81.1 million
15 Tottenham Hotspur £70.7 million
16 Hamburg £67.1 million
17 Manchester City £59 million
18 Rangers £58.4 million
19 West Ham United £57.3 million
20 Benfica £56.1 million