Club anticipates former co-chair’s presence at Carabao Cup tie two months after his resignation amid serious misconduct allegations
West Ham United are expecting David Sullivan to attend Saturday’s Carabao Cup first-round tie against Portsmouth at London Stadium, despite the venue explicitly advising the club that he should not attend matches.
A Recommendation, Not a Ban
A spokesperson for London Stadium told BBC News on Monday that it had recommended West Ham keep Sullivan away from fixtures, citing concerns about potential fan unrest. That advice stops short of a formal ban, and it’s understood West Ham are nonetheless expecting the 77-year-old to be present for the visit of Portsmouth.
Why Sullivan Stepped Down
Sullivan resigned as West Ham’s joint-chair in June, ending a 16-year tenure at the club, after being made aware of the impending publication of what the club itself described as “serious historic allegations.” In a statement announcing his departure, Sullivan said the decision was made “with a heavy heart” and out of “love, respect, and responsibility toward a football club and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward.” West Ham confirmed at the time that none of the allegations related to the club or its operations.
Days later, a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times detailed the substance of those allegations. The accusations came from a number of women who had been seeking modelling work at the Daily Sport and Sunday Sport, the newspapers Sullivan owned before selling them in 2007. Seven women in total have accused him of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour. Sullivan has categorically and consistently denied the allegations. He described the claims as having been “sensationalised by the media,” saying that after a career spent building businesses in the adult industry and meeting “thousands of women,” it was “sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims” would be made against him.
Regulatory and Police Scrutiny
The fallout has extended well beyond the football club itself. A spokesperson for the Independent Football Regulator said the allegations were “extremely serious” and confirmed the body was in contact with West Ham, intending to use its statutory powers to seek urgent information from Sullivan regarding his suitability under the regulator’s Owners, Directors and Senior Executives regime. The regulator holds the power to intervene where credible concerns arise about existing owners, potentially ordering a cease of ownership, disqualification, or in extreme cases a forced sale of the club.
Separately, the Metropolitan Police confirmed it was investigating a report relating to the alleged taking of indecent images and sexual exploitation at locations in London and Essex during the 1980s, with the case related to one alleged victim being led by specialist detectives.
What Happens Saturday
Against that backdrop, Sullivan’s expected attendance at London Stadium sets up a potentially uncomfortable atmosphere. West Ham have not detailed publicly how they intend to manage his presence given the stadium’s explicit recommendation, nor addressed the fan unrest concerns underpinning that advice directly.
With the Carabao Cup tie against Portsmouth now just days away, all eyes will be on whether Sullivan does appear and how supporters inside London Stadium respond if he does.
