Sheffield United co-chair Steven Rosen faces disqualification as a director by the English Football League after the high court issued a winding-up order against COH Sports Bidco Limited, the company through which he purchased the club in December 2024.
High court winding-up order and debt dispute
The winding-up order stems from a dispute between United’s current owners and their predecessor, Prince Abdullah’s United World. United World claims it is owed £35 million by Rosen and his business partner Helmy Eltoukhy in unpaid fees resulting from the £110 million sale of the Championship club in December 2024.
Abdullah filed the winding-up petition last month after Rosen and Eltoukhy transferred ownership of the club to a new parent company, 1919 Partners LLC. The former owner alleged this transfer was part of an attempt to avoid paying the outstanding debt.
EFL regulations and potential consequences
Under EFL regulations, any club official who is the subject of two insolvency events is prevented from acting as a controlling owner or director. In 2023, Rosen was a director of a US medical manufacturer, Invacare, that filed for bankruptcy. This could force Rosen to stand down and reduce his shareholding in United.
EFL sources with knowledge of its rule book confirmed that an insolvency overseas would count as a disqualification event. The EFL is also likely to launch a formal investigation into allegations that the club’s owners are deliberately seeking to avoid paying fees owed from their purchase of the club. If found guilty, United could face a points deduction.
Club and owner statements
“Sheffield United Football Club is aware of today’s hearing at the high court,” read a club statement. “This is a matter between the current owners and former owner.”
1919 Partners concede £35 million is outstanding to United World but insist the debt is not behind the restructure. A spokesperson declined to comment after Wednesday’s hearing.
“The EFL notes the high court’s decision to issue a winding-up order on COH Sports Bidco Limited,” a spokesperson said. “The league will consider the implications of that development in line with its regulations, including whether any further action is required. In addition, the EFL continues to consider other regulatory matters following changes to the club’s ownership structure and developments within the wider group. As these issues remain ongoing, the EFL will make no further comment at this stage.”
United World’s response
United World claimed the club’s owners have refused repeated requests to reach a mediated settlement. “United World made every effort to resolve this matter amicably and tried until the morning of the hearing to give the owners a final opportunity to find a solution and spare Sheffield United the consequences of their conduct,” read a statement. “That approach, like everyone before it, received no response. It appears that Helmy Eltoukhy and Steven Rosen are simply not concerned about what this means for the club. What happens to Sheffield United now is the result of their choices.”
