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BREAKING: Sullivan leaves joint-chair role at West Ham after 16 years

Ollie Whitmore, Chief football news reporter

David Sullivan has left his role as West Ham joint-chair with immediate effect in anticipation of “serious historical allegations”, following their first relegation from the Premier League in 14 years.

The 77 year old, who bought a 50% share of the Hammers in 2010 alongside the late David Gould, said in a statement on the club’s website published on Saturday afternoon that this is due to several “improper conduct claims” set to be published.

He has also promised that he will take legal action by suing the BBC for defamation, in addition to other news outlets that “repeats any libelous allegations”, which West Ham believe are not related to the club “or any of its operations”.

Sullivan said: “I have recently become aware that factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life are due to be broadcast and published.

“The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media. After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me.

“I categorically deny these claims.”

Sullvian added that his time at the club, now set to play in the second tier next season, has been “one of the greatest passions” of his life and he refuses “to allow personal matters to become an unnecessary distraction.”

Sullivan’s share of 38.8% in West Ham made him the largest shareholder of the club following his business partner David Gould’s passing in January 2023.

The BBC, nor any media outlet, has yet published any material referencing the serious accusations of improper conduct that Sullivan spoke of in his statement to West Ham supporters.

West Ham’s chief executive officer Karim Virani, reporting into the current board of directors, will continue to be responsible for leading the club’s day-to-day operations.

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