West Ham Chief Denies Wrongdoing Amid Probe Into Ownership Suitability
West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has strongly denied allegations of sexual misconduct as football authorities begin examining concerns surrounding his suitability to remain involved in the club's leadership.
The Independent Football Regulator (IFR) confirmed it is gathering information from West Ham regarding allegations made against the businessman by several women. The regulator said it would use its legal powers to obtain urgent details relevant to its assessment under rules governing football club owners, directors, and senior executives.
The allegations, reported by BBC Panorama and The Times, accuse Sullivan of abusing his position and exploiting young women over a number of years. The claims involve women who were reportedly seeking employment as models with newspapers previously owned by Sullivan. In response, the IFR described the allegations as serious and stated that it would review whether they raise concerns about Sullivan’s continued role within the Premier League club. The UK government also reacted to the reports, stressing that the allegations should be thoroughly investigated by the appropriate authorities and that anyone affected should receive adequate support. A spokesperson for the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport said the government remains committed to tackling workplace harassment, abuse of power, and inappropriate behaviour across all sectors. Sullivan has firmly rejected the accusations, maintaining that he has not engaged in any illegal conduct.
The 77-year-old recently stepped down from his position as joint chairman of West Ham, citing a desire to focus on responding to what he described as false and outdated allegations relating to his personal life. He also criticised the media investigations that brought the claims to public attention, arguing that the reporting process was unfair. According to Sullivan, his long career in the publishing and adult entertainment industries meant he had interacted with thousands of women over several decades, making it inevitable that some allegations would emerge. West Ham United stated that Sullivan denies any unlawful behaviour and said his decision to step aside was intended to prevent distractions for the club while he addresses the matter privately. Sullivan has been a prominent figure at West Ham for more than 16 years and became the club’s largest individual shareholder following the death of longtime business associate and fellow owner, David Gold, in 2023. The regulator's review is expected to determine whether the allegations have any implications for Sullivan's eligibility under football governance rules.
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