A Saudi prince involved in the running of Sheffield United thought his co-owner had 'somewhat parochial' views about the future of the club, a High Court judge has been told.
Prince Abdullah Bin Mosaad Bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, a member of the Saudi royal family, and co-owner Kevin McCabe have fallen out after starting to work together six years ago.
Mr Justice Fancourt is analysing their fight for control of the newly promoted Premier League club at a High Court trial in London.
The prince, who started giving evidence on Tuesday, said he respected Mr McCabe's passion for Sheffield United but found him 'somewhat parochial' in his views on how to move the club forward.
Mr McCabe, who is in his 70s, is a wealthy Yorkshireman and lifelong United fan, the judge has heard.
Prince Abdullah is the grandson of King Abdulaziz, the founder of modern Saudi Arabia.
Sheffield United Ltd, a company controlled by Mr McCabe and his family, has alleged conspiracy and unfairly prejudicial conduct, and wants damages.
UTB LLC, a company controlled by Prince Abdullah, wants declarations in respect of its rights under an investment and shareholders' agreement.
The prince told the judge, in a written witness statement, of 'increased tension' between Mr McCabe and his representatives in 2016.
'I bore (and bear) no hostility towards Mr McCabe personally,' said Prince Abdullah.
'I very much respected him as my elder, and also his love and passion for the football club, albeit I found him to be somewhat parochial in his views on how best to move the club forward.'
Prince Abdullah said that in late 2017 it had become apparent Mr McCabe 'would not honour' what had been agreed.
'I was extremely disappointed and told Mr McCabe that I would find it difficult to continue working with him unless he started acting in accordance with his word,' he said in his witness statement.
'To me, it was crucial that we could look each other in the eye, agree something and act accordingly. Now it was clear that Mr McCabe would simply act in disregard of what we had discussed and agreed.'
He said Mr McCabe was 'not shy' at 'sending me some very unpleasant emails'.
Prince Abdullah added: 'Of course this litigation has somewhat soured my relationship with Mr McCabe, and I am disappointed that he had instructed his lawyers to make allegations that put my character into disrepute and to effectively communicate them to the fans.'
He said he thought some allegations made did the McCabe family 'discredit'.
'I have no and have never had any interest in harming his or his family's reputation or hurting them... financially,' he said.
'My interests have always been the good of the football club and protecting my own interests and investments in it.'
Barrister Paul Downes QC, leading Sheffield United Ltd's legal team, outlined Mr McCabe's case earlier in the trial.
'The dispute is about which of the two co-owners of the club can take control and on what terms,' he said. 'The legal and factual issues that need to be resolved are numerous and in some respects complex.'
He said the dispute centred on a 'Russian roulette' buyout provision in a 2013 investors and shareholders' agreement.
Mr McCabe thought a scheme had been devised to 'cheat him' out of the benefit of buyout provisions.
Mr Downes said Sheffield United was worth 'substantial sums', but UTB's case was 'that they are entitled to take 50% of the club for £5 million'.
'If that is the result, it would be a travesty,' he said. 'The McCabes, who have invested in the order of £100 million in Sheffield United over the years, would suffer insult upon injury.'
Mr McCabe and Prince Abdullah both deny allegations made against them.
The hearing continues.