A High Court hearing date has been set for a winding-up petition brought against Sheffield United's parent company, COH Sports Bidco Limited, with the case now due to be heard on Wednesday 19 August. The petition was filed by United World Holding Ltd, the vehicle of the club's former owner Prince Abdullah bin Musaed Al Saud, who alleges he is still owed more than £35 million from the sale of the club. The case adds further off-field uncertainty for Sheffield United as they prepare for the 2026/27 Championship season, coming on top of an earlier points deduction for missed payments to other clubs.

The petition, brought under the Insolvency Act 1986, was originally lodged in December 2024 and centres on a dispute over unpaid sums allegedly owed following the takeover by COH Sports, whose ownership group includes Steven Rosen and Helmy Eltoukhy. Football finance expert Kieran Maguire, who revealed the scheduled date, cautioned it could still be moved or resolved outside court before the hearing takes place, with one analyst describing the row as a "commercial game of cat and mouse" unlikely to have lasting consequences for the club. The uncertainty has coincided with a quiet summer transfer window for the Blades, who have so far signed only Matt Doherty and Romelle Donovan.