Former Sheffield United Owners File Winding Up Petition Against the Club

Sheffield United’s former owners have filed a winding-up petition against the club’s owners, COH Sports Bidco Limited, alleging that they are owed more than £35m.

In correspondence sent to the English Football League (EFL) and the Independent Football Regulator, and seen by the BBC, United World has also questioned the validity of last month’s board update, which stated that 1919 Partners LLC was the "parent company of Sheffield United".

United World is the investment company of Saudi Arabian Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud. COH Sports, an American-based consortium, completed its takeover of the Championship club in December 2024.

In a detailed statement, United World said that "in light of the substantial sums that United World is owed by CSBL (over £35 million inclusive of interest), we have been forced to issue a petition in the High Court to wind-up CSBL".

The company added that it was "very disappointed and alarmed at the turn of recent events and believe that both we, and the EFL, have been seriously misled, putting the long-term stability and viability of the club in jeopardy".

The statement continued: "In addition, if the owners of COH Sports Bidco Limited are allowed to get away with effectively gaining control of a football club without paying the amounts they promised to acquire it, we believe that shall undermine the confidence of those who wish to invest in football in the EFL lawfully and properly.

"To that end, along with our legal team, we shall leave no stone unturned to prevent or remedy the serious wrongdoing being committed by those who have taken control of the club."

COH Sports is led by businessmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, both of whom remain on Sheffield United’s board.

At the time of the takeover, they said they "want to take this chance to assure the supporters that we understand the huge responsibility that comes with owning Sheffield United".

Responding to United World’s claims, a spokesperson for 1919 Partners LLC said: "This matter has no impact on the day-to-day operations or financial stability of Sheffield United, which remains well positioned ahead of the new season.

"We are focused on winning football matches, not playing politics.

"As we have already said, the purpose of the restructuring was to create a stronger platform, more efficient and flexible ownership structure that further supports the long-term financial sustainability of Sheffield United.

"This is an outstanding matter with the former owner, and we will not comment on private commercial discussions. We have engaged, and will continue to engage, constructively and transparently with the EFL and the Independent Football Regulator."

Following an approach from the BBC, the EFL said: "The EFL notes recent developments involving Sheffield United and has requested observations from the relevant parties in the context of EFL Regulations.

"As this process is ongoing, we are not in a position to make any further comment at this time."

The Independent Football Regulator, which has powers to act against "unsuitable owners and directors", said: "We are engaging with the relevant parties on this issue but we cannot comment further at this stage."