Sheffield United are ready for the new Championship season following a poor year.

In 2025, the Blades advanced to the play-off final but were defeated 2-1 by Sunderland, relegating them to another year in the second division.

Chris Wilder’s side struggled to reproduce that success, finishing 13th, 13 points behind the top six.

However, the 58-year-old will be hoping to return to the Premier League, especially now that the play-offs will involve two additional teams in 2026/27.

However, difficulties have developed behind the scenes this summer, with former owner Prince Abdullah filing a winding-up suit with the current owners COH Sports.

The Saudi Arabian businessman is reportedly seeking up to £35 million in late payments as part of the club’s sale.

Sheffield United faces a points deduction threat.

Former Everton CEO Keith Wyness claims COH Sport’s decision to transfer their club shares to a new company, 1919 Partners LLC, could have serious ramifications for Sheffield United, potentially resulting in a points deduction.

He believes the EFL will investigate the situation and may have gained an advantage by not paying the full amount owed to Prince Abdullah.”This is a very messy, difficult situation,” Wyness told Football Insider.

“I’ve been looking into this one in a bit more detail, and COH have resold shares in that company to another shell company.

“It’s a very strange situation. “The key to it from the football side is if they have stopped making payments that they are due and they’ve used that in terms of running the football club, then they’ve gained a sporting advantage. “That’s the whole issue that we’ve got here.

“And therefore there could be a points deduction.

“And that’s where the EFL are going to be focusing on that, as to where is the money that should have gone to the sellers, where has that money gone? “Has there been a sporting advantage gained because they didn’t make those payments, which they were legally due to make?”

Wyness believes a swift resolution will be found, and Sheffield United’s owners will be forced to pay or face EFL fines.”I expect something to happen quickly, and either they’ll have to pay up the money they owe, or the club’s going to find itself in trouble,” he continued.Which is unfortunate because the owner, not the club, is responsible for the infringement.

“So I’m sure the EFL will be trying to avoid a sanction on the club.”

COH Sports purchased Sheffield United from Prince Abdullah in December 2024, when the team was pursuing promotion.

The 2025/26 season was their first full year in charge, and fans were dismayed when the team dropped to the bottom part of the table.

The Blades had a difficult season, and Ruben Selles, who was promoted as head coach following the 2025 play-off final defeat, survived only five league games in command.

Steven Rosen oversaw Wilder’s homecoming.

The experienced coach is in his third tenure at Bramall Lane, having previously guided the team from League One to the Premier League.

However, any conceivable point deduction would drastically reduce Sheffield United’s prospects of gaining promotion to the Championship in 2027.

A points punishment would be disastrous for Sheffield United.

COH Sports made a poor first impression by sacking Wilder and supervising the messy 2025 transfer activity.

There has also been a lack of transparency from the owners regarding their legal conflict with Prince Abdullah, and some clarification would be appreciated.

A points deduction would be another bad mark against the Sheffield United ownership group, and fans could turn against them completely at that point.

It would also effectively terminate their chances of a promotion push next season, given how fierce the battle for the top eight is expected to be.