Confirmed: No change of ownership at Sheffield United

Documents lodged with Companies House, which were published on its website earlier today, appeared to suggest the Saudi Arabian had notified officials there that he had ceased to be a person of ‘significant control’ in October - soon after he won a High Court battle for control with former co-owner Kevin McCabe.

But a United spokesperson tonight confirmed the shareholding of both the football club and its parent company Blades Leisure Limited remains unchanged, with a source telling The Star that “some documentary housekeeping” had simply taken place.

“Sheffield United has received a number of questions in relation to filings with Companies House that were made today (Thursday 21st May 2020) by the club and its direct parent company, Blades Leisure Limited.

“The club confirms that there has been no change in ownership of the shares in either The Sheffield United Football Club Limited or Blades Leisure Limited.

“The filings at Companies House were made to allow Companies House to accurately reflect that ownership on the public record and not to disclose any change.”

“Accordingly, H.R.H. Prince Abdullah bin Mosa'ad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud remains the ultimate owner and controller of Blades Leisure Limited and its subsidiary, The Sheffield United Football Club Limited,” the statement added.

“The club expects that the public record will be updated by Companies House to reflect the filings referred to above in the coming days.”

Prince Abdullah, a member of the Middle Eastern Kingdom’s royal family, acquired 50 per cent of United in 2013 in return for a series of financial guarantees.

But when his relationship with McCabe deteriorated, the two men became involved in a protracted legal wrangle which eventually saw Prince Abdullah take charge.

United, who broke their transfer record in January when Sander Berge completed a £22m move from Genk, were seventh in the table when English football was placed into lockdown because of the coronavirus pandemic.

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