On the first day of what is set to be the most lucrative ever season for the world’s richest league, The Daily Telegraph can reveal that workers at Premier League football matches and the country’s other most money-spinning sporting events are regularly being paid less than the “real” cost of living.

An investigation by The Telegraph discovered that the teams’ commitment two years ago to paying an independently calculated living wage to all permanent staff is being undermined by their ongoing use of cheaper casual labour.

Despite clubs having just received the first instalment of global television rights fees totalling a staggering £8.3 billion over three years and with the sale on the horizon of what is likely to end up an even bigger bonanza, there are those still working for them earning below £9.75 per hour in London and £8.45 per hour elsewhere, something last night branded “immoral” and “obscene”.

It can also be revealed that the practice extends to organisers of the country’s other most lucrative annual sporting events, affecting many of those employed at major football, rugby and cricket matches, the Wimbledon tennis championships, Formula One’s British Grand Prix, the Grand National, Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot.

It is even happening right now at the athletics World Championships at the London Stadium.