Sheffield United CEO says club advised it should avoid 12-point deduction

Bettis says lawyers advised no deduction

Sheffield United chief executive Stephen Bettis said the club's owners have been advised by their lawyers that the club should avoid an automatic 12-point deduction. The EFL is investigating the winding-up order against COH Sports Bidco, the company previously used by owners Steve Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy to acquire the Blades.

Bettis told BBC Radio Sheffield that the deduction applies only if the club or a company within its group goes into insolvency. He said the winding-up order against COH Sports Bidco came after the entity had left the Sheffield United group. "While it was within the group it never had a winding up order, it didn't become insolvent," he said. "Their belief is that that stops the 12-point deduction happening."

Risk remains while EFL investigates

Bettis stopped short of ruling out sanctions. "The EFL are still investigating that and there is still the risk of that from their perspective," he said. He added that the owners would "fight that quite hard" if the EFL decided to impose a penalty. The EFL said the matter remains ongoing.

The dispute centres on the 2024 takeover. COH Sports Bidco agreed to buy Sheffield United for just over £100m in December 2024, but about £35m is still owed on the deal, roughly a third of the purchase price, BBC Sport reported. A winding-up petition was filed in July by United World, the club's former owners. Insolvency events can trigger a 12-point penalty under EFL rules.

Former owners claim deduction is possible

United World has claimed Sheffield United could face a 12-point deduction under EFL Regulation 12.3 if COH Sports Bidco is wound up. In a statement before a High Court hearing, the former owners said the transfer of the club's shares to a new Delaware-based company, 1919 Partners LLC, left COH Sports Bidco without assets to repay the debt. They alleged the restructuring was an attempt to avoid paying the money owed, The Star reported.

The current ownership has rejected that suggestion, saying the restructuring was designed to create a stronger and more flexible platform for the club. Representatives for Rosen and Eltoukhy described United World's claims as "publicity stunts."

Why a deduction matters

Sheffield United are ninth with 22 points from 14 Championship games. A 12-point deduction is more than half of that total. The72 reported that a 12-point dock would put Wilder and co in "serious bother" at the bottom end of the division.

The uncertainty has already affected the squad. Sheffield United's spending was limited in the summer transfer window, and the squad has weakened since last season, The72 reported. Gustavo Hamer, Andre Brooks and Callum O'Hare were sold without reinvestment into the squad. Ben Brereton Diaz returned on loan from Southampton, while Matt Doherty, Jordan Ayew, Romelle Donovan, Kalvin Phillips, Hamza Choudhury and Liam Kitching arrived as free transfers or loans.

What happens next

The EFL and the Independent Football Regulator are continuing to investigate. Bettis said the EFL has been aware of the issue for four months and that the owners have cooperated fully. He also said discussions continue with former owner Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad Al Saud over the nearly £35m payment, which the current owners feel should be reduced.

Bettis said the club is funded and paying its bills on time. The EFL said the matter remains ongoing.