Sheffield United have switched off underfloor heating at their training ground and restricted the use of turf fertilizer and paint … as Championship promotion pursuers look to avoid the 12-point deduction and go into administration by Thursday.
- Sheffield United were placed under a transfer embargo due to late payments
- They are six points ahead of third-place Middlesbrough with nine games to go.
- The club will be deducted 12 points if it enters administration before next Thursday
Sheffield United have introduced a series of extraordinary cost-cutting measures to avoid going into administration as early as next week.
sports mail may reveal the full extent of the financial crisis plaguing the Championship club, which failed to pay suppliers and switched off underfloor heating at the training ground in a desperate bid to ensure it could pay its players this month.
Under EFL rules, any club that goes into administration before next Thursday is automatically deducted 12 points this season, which would be a major blow to United’s prospects of winning promotion to the Premier League.
Despite the club’s acute financial problems, Paul Heckingbottom’s side are well positioned to return to the top flight after two years in the Championship, sitting second in the table, six points ahead of second-place Middlesbrough. third place, with nine games remaining in the season.
United were placed under a transfer embargo in January after failing to pay transfer fee installments owed to other clubs, with millions of pounds understood to be owed to Liverpool and Malmo for Rhian Brewster and Bosnian defender Anel Ahmedhodzic , respectively.
Cash-strapped Sheffield United have introduced some extraordinary cost-saving measures
Despite financial problems, the club thrives on the pitch under the management of Paul Heckingbottom.
Since then, the club has been desperately trying to get through the season without going into administration or having points taken away for late payment of players.
United’s cash crunch has worsened in recent weeks, prompting the club to introduce some extraordinary cost-saving measures, including:
- Switch off underfloor heating at the club’s Shirecliffe training ground and order players to train inside
- Instruct ground crews to reduce the use of turf fertilizer on training grounds to save money.
- Limit the amount of paint used at various club sites
- Restrict the use of specialized data and analysis software by club scouts, which has hampered their ability to prepare the team for matches.
- Reduce the use of casual workers and part-time office staff
- Failure to pay multiple vendors on time, which has led to numerous complaints.
- Suspend various construction projects, with the Copthorne Hotel on Bramall Lane falling into disrepair
United’s plight is all the more extraordinary as they are still receiving parachute payments after being relegated from the Premier League two years ago, and the top flight gave them around £16m this season, leading many in the club to wonder where all the money has gone.
Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz al Saud completed an unusual takeover of former Kevin McCabe three years ago following a bitter court battle that resulted in the local property magnate receiving just £5m for a 50 per cent stake in the club. previously valued at £104 million. , from which point investment has dried up.
The most recent accounts published last summer showed United owed £18.25m in outstanding transfer fees, although their total liabilities are understood to be very high as the club has been delaying transfer payments for several years.
The club is owned by Saudi Prince Abdullah bin Mosaad bin Abdulaziz al Saud (pictured)
Despite such problems, United are thriving on the pitch under Heckingbottom and, in addition to the promotion push, will face Blackburn Rovers in the FA Cup quarter-final, a winnable tie that leaves them one match away. from Wembley.
Without the FA Cup run, the club may already be in administration as extra games have seen them rack up over £1m. Getting to the last eight is worth £350,000 in prize money alone, while having four successive heats broadcast live has generated nearly £800,000 in TV appearance fees.
United is confident that they will be able to pay their players this month due to the savings they have implemented.
The club is also subject to a £90m takeover offer from Nigerian billionaire Dozy Mmobuosi, but the deal has stalled after the EFL raised doubts about the source of its funding.