Sheffield United face 12-point deduction after owners' company wound up by High Court

Sheffield United are facing a potential 12-point deduction after the High Court wound up COH Sports, the company led by their American co-chairmen Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, at London’s Insolvency and Companies Court on Wednesday.

The petition was brought by United World, the club’s former owners, who claim they are owed more than £35 million from the sale of the club. United World is owned by Prince Abdullah bin Mosa’ad. The matter was resolved in roughly 10 seconds, with Judge Paul Greenwood granting the compulsory winding-up order after Angus Groom, representing United World, sought what he described as the “usual compulsory order”.

COH Sports completed its acquisition of Sheffield United in December 2024. The club had previously stated in June that Delaware-based 1919 Partners represents its parent business and “sits at the centre of the ownership structure”. If the EFL determines that ownership regulations were breached as a result of these proceedings, a 12-point deduction could follow.

The timing is particularly damaging for a club with promotion ambitions. Sheffield United were playing Premier League football just two years ago and came close to an immediate return last season, only to lose to Sunderland in the Championship play-off final. They then endured a disappointing 2024-25 campaign, finishing 13th and never seriously threatening the play-off places.

Chris Wilder’s side began the new season with a 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Mansfield Town before being held to a goalless draw by Birmingham City at Bramall Lane. They are next in action away at Swansea City. A points deduction of the scale the EFL rules permit would represent a severe blow to any realistic promotion push before the season has properly begun.