The Bramall Lane club bought a controlling interest in the Chengdu Blades in 2006 but have been left reeling by their demotion from the Chinese Super League amid allegations of match rigging and gambling.
Blades are out: Chengdu Blades (left and right) have been thrown out of the Chinese Super League. Pictured, in action against Chelsea
The scandal has already toppled the country's football association chief Nan Yong, and the repercussions reached South Yorkshire on Monday when the Chengdu Blades officially lost their place in the Super League after a month-long investigation. Guangzhou GPC have also been thrown out.
Both clubs were implicated in findings that included results being fixed, referees bribed and players paying for places at the national team's training camp and to appear in competitive internationals.
It is a major embarrassment to Sheffield United although there is no evidence to implicate anyone from the club with the allegations in China.
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Source: Daily Mail
Source: Daily Mail