With the 2026/27 Championship campaign starting and the prospect of a potential 12-deduction, CEO Stephen Bettis has spoken out on the present state of play and his thoughts on any such consequence as Sheffield United’s variety of troubles on and off-the-pitch start to increase.
The Blades might have been bracing for a tougher campaign with Chris Wilder unable to spend any transfer fees after the club’s parachute payments ended and the departures of star performers Andre Brooks, Gus Hamer and Callum O’Hare in a testing summer.
That is precisely how it has panned out after eight matches, with United now 18th on two wins, three draws and three defeats – only to be compounded by successive losses to Wolves, Stoke City and League Two Fleetwood Town in the EFL Cup before the three-week international break.
But their problems go deeper than a slow start to the season, with the current ownership’s £35m debt to former custodian Prince Abdullah looming over the club and threatening a major points deduction.
Stephen Bettis discusses possible Sheffield United points deduction
The first sign of the problem was in August when the corporation through which the purchase of Sheffield United was made was put into insolvency by the High Court.
That comes as a contract to take up the Blades for more than £100million by COH Sports over two years ago, which saw around £35million still to be paid as the Prince continues his quest for what he believes he is owed by Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy, draws to a conclusion.
It’s a grim situation, one which can often lead to big sanctions from the EFL in the form of deductions and Bettis has given his thoughts on current situations.
Before mentioning the danger of a points deduction, Bettis explained to The Star the dispute between the last and present ownership of the Blades.
But United CEO does not believe the Steel City outfit will be docked points because COH Sports were not the parent company of the club when the winding-up order was made, having been transferred to a new holding company in US-based 1919 Partners LLC – although without the EFL’s permission.
Bettis explained: “The only one who can give us a points reduction is the EFL, not the IFR (Independent Football Regulator).
They’ve known about all this since May of this year, so both sides have known about this for more than four months.The EFL, and the IFR, for that matter, did launch an investigation into what had happened, etc. And we have worked together, and the owners too, providing them chapter and verse of what truly transpired.
I suppose one of the areas they are looking at is a potential insolvency of one of the organisations inside the group which, if that was the case, there is the chance of a points penalty for sure.From Steve’s point of view I don’t think there were any problems with the club. There is no insolvency problem at the club.
“”It’s meeting all its liabilities and continuing to do that. So from a club standpoint nothing to worry supporters with. I suppose there is one entity that was in the group, is not in the group anymore, that has subsequently been wound up or went to court to be wound up but it is still in the process.
‘Well I suppose if you don’t want to go into too much detail about it, the argument from our owner’s perspective is that that entity, although it was in our group, was perfectly in existence and not insolvent.”After it was outside of the organisation this winding-up order did happen thus they don’t feel that there’s an event that requires a 12-point reduction.I will add the EFL are still looking into it and the IFR are but it’s been going on for 4 months. It’s not a black and white situation.”
Why Sheffield United could face points deduction from EFL
The saga is complicated, with many moving elements, the result of which is still somewhat unclear.
“Certainly it’s much clearer when a club goes straight into administration but when a business within the family of companies in an ownership structure suffers insolvency it’s a more complicated and complex situation.
If the EFL find the owners of Sheffield United moved shares into a new business to leave a substantial debt in the old company it might likely be deemed a breach and will be punishable by sanctions which could extend as far as a 12-point loss.
What the EFL makes of the Blades’ position, though, remains to be seen and the jury is yet out on what sanction, if any, the South Yorkshire club will face.
What would happen to Sheffield United with a 12-point deduction
A 12-point deduction, if it happened, would be disastrous for Sheffield United, who would definitely be in a frantic relegation fight from the Championship.
Last season the Blades finished 13 points ahead of Oxford United in 22nd, although that was with a stronger roster before a number of high-profile stars left Bramall Lane over the summer.
There is little to indicate Wilder’s side will finish better than the 13th place they achieved last season and they presently lie 18th with nine points, four clear of Derby County who occupy the final relegation slot at the present time.
If United were to incur a 12-point deduction today they would be on -3 points with a further ten to get out of the drop zone.
How the current EFL Championship table would look with a 12 point deduction for Sheffield United
Position Team P GD Pts 21st Derby County 8
22nd Preston North End 5 -7
-7 4 23rd Burnley 8
-8 4 24th Sheffield United 8
-2
-3
Of course that is all hypothetical and the fact is that if the Blades do ever have points docked that is unlikely to be a consequence offered for some time.
It would nearly guaranty a whole change and capsize of their campaign’s intricacy and relegation war, which will have many at the club sweating in fear if it happens though.
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