Championship club ‘could be hit with immediate 12-point deduction’ amid owner dispute

Sheffield United face a ‘real prospect’ of entering administration amid claims from former owners United World that they are still owed £35million.

The Blades were sold to current COH Sports Bidco for a fee of just over £100m in December 2024.

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But they have been warned they face losing control of the Championship side if they do not hand over the remaining £35m they allegedly still owe United World.

Failure to fork out the money could result in the Yorkshire outfit being slapped with a whopping 12-point penalty deduction if the current co-owners Helmy Eltoukhy and Steven Rosen are declared insolvent.

It has been reported that there will be a winding-up hearing that will take place in a London business court on Wednesday

What have United World said?

United World, in a statement issued to Sky Sports, said: “As the former owners of SUFC, United World does not want to see SUFC facing months of uncertainty that will follow the winding-up order being granted on 19 August.

“But in the absence of Eltoukhy and Rosen, both billionaires, agreeing to pay what they owe, we have no alternative but to take all legal steps to protect our interests.

“We understand that the EFL and the Independent Football Regulator (the IFR) are aware of this situation.

“But so far, we are not aware of any intervention by either.

“United World has issued this public statement in the hope that it is possible to avoid the potential consequences the club may face if this is not resolved before 19 August, after which we shall have no control over those consequences.”

United have since commented on their disappointment in the statement made by Saudi royal Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz bin Al Saud – insisting they are ‘financially healthy’.

Sources close to the current United ownership declared: “We are disappointed Prince Abdullah is trying to hurt the club and its supporters with publicity stunts.

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“The deal between sophisticated parties in 2024 was well advised by his financial advisors.

“Sheffield United is financially healthy, unlike under Prince Abdullah when the club incurred a points deduction for missing payments to football creditors.

“Nonetheless, Helmy Eltoukhy and Steven Rosen invited Abdullah to re-invest in the Club and join the ownership of Sheffield United and to help use his skills to support our promotion efforts.

“Helmy and Steve are focused on the sustainability of the club and the season ahead.”

United kicked off their Championship season with a goalless draw against Birmingham at Bramall Lane.

A 12-point penalty deduction would leave them 14 points off the play-off spots in the club’s quest to seal a return to the Premier League.