Sheffield United reportedly under EFL investigation after rivals complain about alleged rule breach

SunSport reports that the EFL has been made aware of information about the involvement of representatives of Sheffield United’s potential new owners. A group from California is involved in the transfer negotiations.

This has led to the EFL investigating the matter and possibly taking disciplinary action.

A similar situation arose in 2023 when Birmingham City were investigated for a possible breach of EFL Rule 86.

A consortium seeking to buy the club was accused of carrying out activities without official approval or passing the test of owners and directors.

Despite the collapse of the proposed £35m takeover of Maxco, the EFL still took action against individuals involved in the club including former Charlton CEO Matt Southall, former Barcelona striker Maxi Lopez and local businessman Paul Richardson, banning them all from acting as directors.

The EFL is warning all clubs that new owners must not represent the club they wish to take over.

SunSport reports that Sheffield United and the EFL declined to comment.

Meanwhile, there is more positive news for the club. A few hours after this story broke, @robstaton tweeted: “According to club sources, the consortium that wants to buy Sheffield United will apply for EFL approval in the coming days. They have already held discussions with the EFL. With the approval of the league, they would take over.”

The club is desperately waiting for the takeover to be completed. For a challenging season, 10 players have been dismissed the departure of four players brought in on loan and Chris Wilder desperate to replace them.

Owner Prince Abdullah agreed a deal worth more than £100m for Dozy Mmobuosi last year, but Mmobuosi failed to meet the EFL’s requirements for owners and directors and was charged with fraud in the US.

Club sources understand the consortium wanting to buy Sheffield United will be submitting an application for EFL approval in the coming days. They have already held discussions with the EFL. With the league’s approval, they would be able to #SUFC

— Rob Staton (@robstaton) July 7, 2024

Twitter users responded by stating that Sheffield United are reportedly being investigated by the English Football League (EFL) after rivals complained about an alleged breach of the rules…

@HalTheBlade: Preston probably rats out Des

@scottkeira13: What did we do? We signed a player for free

@jsbsufc: So we’re being snitched on? Good to know.

@ChrisHu45292304: It must be Preston. Can almost feel the tears!

@Zach698: Preston will probably tell on us about how we made a deal for holes

@KerrieRoebuck: Preston falls in love because they turned down an offer for Harrison Burrows. The Prince will have overseen the transfer of Shackleton and the new deal for Davies, not the new owners.

@designedbyross: “which has led to several doubts about Sheffield United’s recent transfer activity.” – that one free transfer we made 😂

@KerrieRoebuck: These complaining people do not know that the Prince still has an interest in the Owner and that he is the one who acts.

@MarkHowsham: If we have broken the rules, apart from the fact that it is a typical Blades approach to transfers and takeovers, we deserve everything we get.

@KevC12929993: It would be something for us if we finally got new owners and then immediately got a transfer ban because we broke the rules 🙄

@Gimligimli2: Announce liquidation

@mikefizzled: Cherry on the already difficult slow sale of the club. Typical embarrassing behavior when we are going to be guilty.

@simongparker: Classic knives! 💯

@Charlie90886141: We signed one free transfer 😂😂😂😂

@weststeve563: How we haven’t signed anyone yet 🤷🏼‍♂️

@Morton_theblade: What transfer deals?

@timrud1: Sheffield United have already had points deductions, so they should be presented with the bill.

@Ryanzon1: We have signed a player who is a free agent and our current owner Prince Bin Bin and have taken out a loan to get players through the door before the takeover is completed.

@Clinton91M32758: We have signed a player on a free transfer and what if the current owner, Prince Abdullah, has confirmed this?

@Ricard_Oc_e_Non: What transfers… a. Free. No transfer

@JamieBuxton16: Yes, we cheated… by signing 1 player on a free transfer 😂😂😂

@dondoddano1: Phaaaa haaaaaa haaaa 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤗 ALL WEDNESDAYS WE ARE NOT

@LdoTM: @EFL @EFL_Comms @SkyBetChamp how do Sheffield get away with this? Other clubs are being targeted for this. You guys need to look into this and do something about it. It’s not fair to the other teams, otherwise you’re just building a name for yourselves!

@scottkeira13: Wouldn’t be Sheff Utd without drama @GironaExpat @JimmyRambleYT @SheffUnitedWay

@SteveBatty11: They will prove this well, we haven’t spent a cent on it yet 🤣🤣

@cal__george: One of the worst run clubs in the country

@Justom29: Fairplay Chansiri #swfc

@jpsufc1: What are the chances that Leeds and Wednesday are among the clubs complaining 🤣

@Maddog1889: It will be Preston, because they couldn’t sign Burrows

@FowlerReece: 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣 we signed 1 contract and he is a free agent

@ajbutb: More point deduction, noise 👍🏻

@Neil1889: What is the penalty? Transfer embargo

@1JonDavies1988: Rest of the competition is already panicking. What a club ⚔️⚔️

@SeanHardwick6: Preston angry because their offer was rejected?

@JapaneseAcid: Almost certainly 😂

@Camstyll: Maxi López and Richardson look back #BCFC

@JeJohnelwell: Ffs, incoming transfer ban

@BlademarkSUFC: 🤣 that couldn’t be Sheffield United anymore if they tried

@seasideblade:
The only thing that comes in is:
Administration
Degradation
Bankruptcy

@PWerdek: Sour grapes. Name the clubs involved and we can give them a warm welcome once the season starts 😄😄😄

@KW018: I was beginning to think there wouldn’t be any American owners. 🤣

@CyanideZero2019: Oh smeg

@Hodgyblade: Ffs

@paulgregory134: What are the transfers

@kingsley_sufc: Preston is probably crying because their offer was rejected 🤣🤣

@finley_sufc7: Snitch

@paul1vicks: Only us 😂

@oscarsufc: That’s that then

@hughesyjoe: ahhh brilliant, here we go again 👍🏻

@alassince1993: FFS min 10 incoming.

Chansiri spoke to the EFL in the hope that this would not draw attention to D Taxis!#SWFC https://t.co/sALsb047j4 photo.twitter.com/q18Txdel6n

— Ben R (@benridley10) July 7, 2024

https://t.co/NE6l08w5fG photo.twitter.com/Pgw8W3dQmW

— Dan⚔️ (@gcxb) July 7, 2024