Prince and McCabe set for court return in Blades row

CROWN PRINCE ABDULLAH is heading for another court battle with Kevin McCabe after failing to agree the sale of Sheffield United properties including Bramall Lane and the Shirecliffe academy.

After a protracted High Court battle, the Crown Prince won the right to buy out his co-owner and chairman McCabe. As well as paying £5m for McCabe’s 50 per cent stake – a fraction of what it is worth now the club is in the Premier League – he was ordered to buy club properties from the lifelong fan’s Scarborough Group company. McCabe was refused permission to appeal.

As well as the ground and academy, these included the Copthorne Hotel, Enterprise Centre, Junior Development Centre and land behind the Kop.

Last night the Blades released a statement to say, “this deal will no longer proceed as the Scarborough Companies wanted more money and more concessions from the club than they agreed initially. The club has no alternative but to resort to arbitration under the Property Call Option Agreements to determine the purchase prices and to ensure the properties are transferred to the club. It also appears the Scarborough Companies have withdrawn their offer to sell the Kop Sites.”

It added: “The club will take all necessary steps to ensure that Bramall Lane remains the longterm home of SUFC. We will also vigorously defend any claims put forward by SUL (Sheffield United Limited), including the outrageous suggestion that the price for the stadium should be on the assumption that SUFC leaves Bramall Lane with the site being developed for housing.”