Byline: CYNTHIA BATEMAN

SHEFFIELD UNITED remain in the control of Reg Brealey at least for the present after the chairman announced yesterday that he had decided not to sell his 63 per cent shareholding to the Iraqi-born businessman Sam Hashimi or to rival bidders.

The controversial plan to sell out to Hashimi for Pounds 6.25 million was abandoned at a Bramall Lane board meeting in the interests of stability at a club pursuing promotion to the First Division.

In a statement afterwards Brealey, who said he had not been asked to resign, confirmed: 'The publicity has been too much and is not conducive to the good running of the club. We are going back to square one.

'The...