Sheff Utd could face points deduction after court ruling

\n \n Sheffield United started the new season with a goalless draw at home to Birmingham [Getty Images] \n 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. 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". Sheffield United are yet to comment. 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. 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. 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. 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" . 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 Independent Football Regulator (IFR) had been made aware the share transfer was to take place and neither has commented on it. When approached by the BBC earlier this week, the IFR confirmed it was in contact with the club to ascertain more information. \n Sheff Utd held to goalless draw by Birmingham City \n 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. 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. 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. \n Latest Sheffield United news, analysis and fan views Get Sheffield United news sent straight to your phone \n