Sheffield United respond to bizarre idea that owner Prince Abdullah could be JAILED if Blades beat Newcastle United after their Saudi takeover

The remarkable claim was made in a letter from Media House Intenational, who contacted Amnesty International and Sheffield South East MP Clive Betts to question the suitability of the Prince to own and run the Blades.

Comparisons have been made between the Saudi Prince's ownership of the Blades and the proposed takeover of Newcastle, by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). Such comparisons are flawed; the proposed takeover of Newcastle would give the club access to the sovereign wealth fund of the Saudi state, while Prince Abdullah - who is not closely linked with Saudi ruler, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman - is a private and independent businessman.

But, in a letter to Betts reported by The Sun, Media House chief Jack Irvine reportedly wrote: “How does someone such as Prince Abdullah run Sheffield United without Saudi influence, now that his much more important cousins will be running a rival team?

“I would not imagine that Newcastle losing to Sheffield would be an event taken lightly given Saudi Arabia’s track record for knee-jerk imprisonments of various Royal Family members.”

A United official referenced the ongoing Covid-19 crisis in a statement of reply: "While fellow citizens selflessly rally together to face the nation’s greatest challenge since World War II, it is unfortunate that a few choose to broadcast their petty grievances in a misguided effort to sow division. The Club will not dignify such people with a response.”

Prince Abdullah won sole control of the club from McCabe after a bitter two-year court battle, after the pair's relationship broke down irretrievably. A High Court judge ruled that the Prince was entitled to buy McCabe's 50 per cent share of the Blades for £5m.

Since becoming sole owner of the club, Prince Abdullah has delivered on his promise to invest in the club. He has sanctioned new contracts for key men, including boss Chris Wilder and players John Fleck and Enda Stevens, while also giving the green light for the club-record £22m signing of Sander Berge.