Headline: Sheffield United Faces Potential 12-Point Deduction Following Liquidation of Ownership Company
Sheffield United could face a significant 12-point deduction after the company that facilitated its takeover was placed into liquidation by the High Court on Wednesday.
COH Sports Bidco Limited (CSBL) agreed to purchase the Championship club for just over £100 million in December 2024, with approximately £35 million still owed under the terms of that deal. A winding-up petition was lodged last month against CSBL by United World, the previous owners of the club.
During a brief High Court hearing that lasted about 10 seconds, CSBL, led by co-chairmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, did not have any representation. The former owners expressed that they had made “every effort to resolve this matter amicably” but indicated that they had not received any response from CSBL.
A spokesperson for Sheffield United noted, “Sheffield United Football Club is aware of today’s hearing at the High Court. This is a matter between the current owners and former owner.” They also reassured that the club is in ongoing communication with the English Football League (EFL) and that day-to-day operations remain unaffected.
The situation has become complicated due to a transfer of shares from CSBL to a new entity in June. Since a separate company—not the club itself—has gone into liquidation, this does not automatically trigger a punishment from the EFL for the insolvency event. The EFL remarked that it would evaluate the implications of CSBL’s liquidation and whether further action is necessary. Additionally, the EFL continues to review other regulatory matters related to changes in the club’s ownership and developments within the larger group.
The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) stated it is closely examining the court’s decision concerning COH Sport and is in contact with both the club and the EFL. A representative added that the IFR can assess an incumbent owner’s financial integrity and overall soundness under its regulatory regime if there are grounds for concern.
In a related context, Saudi Arabian Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad Al Saud acquired his initial 50% stake in Sheffield United in 2013 and gained full ownership in 2019. His time at the helm saw its share of controversies, culminating in a struggle to secure that complete ownership through a protracted High Court battle.
United World sold the club to CSBL, but the narrative did not conclude there. The Blades faced a two-point deduction in the 2024-25 season due to missed transfer payments linked to the previous ownership under Prince Abdullah. Although CSBL made an initial payment upon the sale’s closure, the first installment—due last year—was delayed and paid only after a statutory demand.
The issue in court pertained to the outstanding £35 million payment, which the new owners have acknowledged as unresolved. Complications arise as assets transferred in June from CSBL to a new US-based company, 1919 Partners LLC, which now acts as the parent company of Sheffield United. CSBL’s operational influence over the club diminished with this transfer.
This recent court case focused solely on CSBL, yet its implications tie back to the club itself. BBC Sport reports that neither the EFL nor the IFR were informed about the share transfer or the subsequent appointment of new directors.
Unlike a scenario where a club enters administration, the situation turns more intricate when a company—rather than the club—experiences insolvency. The EFL must weigh multiple factors, including the need to maintain the competition’s integrity and the league’s reputation. The High Court’s decision to wind up CSBL raises significant questions related to asset transfers, leading to potential EFL sanctions.
Should the EFL decide that the ownership maneuver to abandon a sizeable debt constitutes a breach of rules, Sheffield United may confront a severe 12-point deduction. The circumstances evoke memories of Southampton’s 10-point penalty in 2009 after their parent company went into administration, despite claims of financial separation between the club and the parent entity.
With CSBL now under liquidation and the unpaid debt complicating matters, Sheffield United appears to be at risk of a points deduction. Discussions could emerge on whether Eltoukhy and Rosen opt to resolve this debt, but ultimately, the EFL board will base its verdict on the evidence presented. The developments surrounding Sheffield United are far from over.
Sheffield United could incur a 12-point deduction after the company used to buy the club was placed into liquidation by the High Court on Wednesday.
COH Sports Bidco Limited (CSBL) agreed to purchase the Championship club for just over £100m in December 2024 but about £35m was still owed on the deal.
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A winding-up petition was filed last month against CSBL by United World – the club’s former owners.
CSBL – headed by United co-chairmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy – had no representation at the High Court hearing, which lasted about 10 seconds.
A statement issued by the former owners said they had made “every effort to resolve this matter amicably” but had “received no response”.
A Sheffield United spokesperson said: “Sheffield United Football Club is aware of today’s hearing at the High Court.
“This is a matter between the current owners and former owner.
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“The football club is in contact with the English Football League and the day-to-day operations at Sheffield United are unaffected.”
A complex situation is clouded by the movement of shares in the club into a new company in June.
As a separate company – not the football club – has been wound up, there is no automatic punishment from the EFL for an insolvency event.
The EFL said it would consider the implications of CSBL’s liquidation “including whether any further action is required”.
“In addition, the EFL continues to consider other regulatory matters following changes to the club’s ownership structure and developments within the wider group,” a spokesman added.
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The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) said it was “examining the court’s decision on COH Sport in detail” and was “in contact with the club and the EFL”.
A spokesperson added: “The IFR can assess an incumbent owner’s honesty, integrity and financial soundness under its Owners, Directors and Senior Executives regime, should it have grounds for concern.”
So will the club really face a points penalty?
The prince versus the new owners
Saudi Arabian Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad Al Saud bought 50% of Sheffield United in 2013, before acquiring the rest of the club in 2019.
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His time in charge was not without controversy, and he only secured the second 50% of the club following a long High Court battle.
When United World – the company through which Prince Abdullah owned the club – sold to CSBL, the story did not end.
The Blades were deducted two points during the 2024-25 season because of missed transfer payments under Prince Abdullah during 2022-23.
CSBL made an initial payment upon close of sale, but the first instalment – due last year – was late and paid only after a statutory demand, and sent on the deadline.
This High Court date came down to another £35m payment – a debt the new owners have not denied is outstanding.
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Here is where matters become complicated for the EFL and its regulations.
In June, the shares in the club were transferred from CSBL into a new US-based company – 1919 Partners LLC – which became the “parent company of Sheffield United”.
Timothy Ryan was added to the board of directors at the same time.
In effect, CSBL no longer had any say in the running of the South Yorkshire club.
Wednesday’s court case was against CSBL, but there remains a clear link to the Blades through the new company.
CSBL was led by Rosen and Eltoukhy, who control Sheffield United through 1919 Partners LLC.
BBC Sport understands neither the EFL nor the IFR had been made aware the share transfer was to take place or of the appointment of Ryan, though neither body has commented.
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When approached by the BBC earlier this week, the IFR confirmed it was in contact with the club to ascertain more information.
Why Sheffield United could be deducted 12 points
Unlike when a club goes into administration, a ‘group undertaking’ – a company rather than a club – suffering an insolvency event is a more nuanced situation.
The regulations direct the EFL board to take into account a number of factors, including “the need to protect the integrity and continuity of the competition” and “the reputation of the league”.
As the High Court chose to wind up CSBL, the transfer of assets presents a clear question for the EFL.
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A club’s owners could be considered to have moved shares into a new company to leave a sizeable purchase debt in the previous company, and effectively write it off.
That alone could be considered a breach and result in sanctions from the EFL, and the board could choose to impose a 12-point deduction for an insolvency event.
Though not a direct comparison, in 2009 Southampton were docked 10 points by the EFL after their parent company went into administration and the football club claimed there was not a financial link between the two.
An investigation found the football club and the parent company were “inextricably linked as one economic entity”, and the EFL applied its mandatory penalty.
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With CSBL now wound up, and an unpaid debt used to buy the football club in the hands of the administrators, Sheffield United face the very real prospect of a points deduction.
It could yet be that Eltoukhy and Rosen move to settle the debt.
But the insolvency event will be an evidence-based judgement by the EFL board.
This story has some distance to run.
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