May 22 – English Premier League club Sheffield United say there has been no change to their Saudi ownership despite reports that Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz Al Saud (pictured) had given up control.
Documents published on the website of Britain’s Companies House stated that Prince Abdullah had ceased to be a “person with significant control” of the club on October 18, 2019.
Bizarrely, the same file had stated that Prince Abdullah gained such control status, also on Octobet 18, 2019 – the very same day.
“The Club confirms that there has been no change in ownership of the shares in either The Sheffield United Football Club Limited or Blades Leisure Limited.,” the club now say.
“The filings at Companies House were made to allow Companies House to accurately reflect that ownership on the public record and not to disclose any change.”
“Accordingly, H.R.H. Prince Abdullah bin Mosa’ad bin Abdulaziz Al Sa’ud remains the ultimate owner and controller of Blades Leisure Limited and its subsidiary, The Sheffield United Football Club Limited.
“The Club expects that the public record will be updated by Companies House to reflect the filings referred to above in the coming days.”
Prince Abdullah controversially took control of the club when they qualified for the Premier League this season via the exercise of a clause in a contract that allowed him to buy the 50% of the club he didn’t own for just £5 million. He was given 50% of the shares in 2013 by owner Kevin McCabe in return for £10 million invested in the club. If prince Abdullah were to sell the club now, even in an uncertain sales market where club valuations will fluctuate, he would net more than £100 million in profit.
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