Sheffield United Co-Chair Steven Rosen Faces Disqualification as Club Ownership Dispute Escalates

The English Football League (EFL) is considering disqualifying Sheffield United co-chair Steven Rosen as a director after the company through which he bought the club, COH Sports Bidco Limited, was liquidated in a high court hearing.

The winding-up order issued by the high court in London is a result of a dispute between United’s owners and their predecessor, Prince Abdullah’s United World, which claims it is owed £35m by Rosen and his business partner Helmy Eltoukhy in unpaid fees resulting from the £110m sale of the Championship club in December 2024.

A spokesperson for 1919 Partners, the new parent company of Sheffield United, declined to comment after Wednesday’s hearing.

‘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.’

Nevertheless, there could be ramifications for United. 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, so he could be forced by the EFL to stand down and reduce his shareholding in United.

The EFL is also likely to launch a formal investigation into the allegations that the club’s owners are deliberately seeking to avoid paying fees owed from their purchase of the club, which would result in a points deduction if they are found guilty. EFL sources with knowledge of its rule book confirmed that an insolvency overseas would count as a disqualification event.

‘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 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.’

Under EFL regulations, a 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, so he could be forced by the EFL to stand down and reduce his shareholding in United.

The EFL is also likely to launch a formal investigation into the allegations that the club’s owners are deliberately seeking to avoid paying fees owed from their purchase of the club, which would result in a points deduction if they are found guilty. EFL sources with knowledge of its rule book confirmed that an insolvency overseas would count as a disqualification event.

As the dispute escalates, it remains to be seen what the consequences will be for Sheffield United and its co-chair Steven Rosen. The EFL’s investigation into the allegations of deliberately avoiding payment will likely shed more light on the situation.

The club’s owners, 1919 Partners, have conceded that £35m is outstanding to United World, but insist the debt is not behind the restructure. However, United World claims that the club’s owners have refused repeated requests to reach a mediated settlement, and have instead chosen to pursue a path that could result in serious consequences for the club.