Premier League club owner asked to stay away from games amid sexual misonduct allegations

News

FT Desk

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has been advised to stay away from matches this season due to concerns about unrest, as he is currently being investigated for alleged sexual misconduct, reports the BBC.

In June, BBC Panorama and the Times revealed details of accusations of historical abuse from seven females, with the offences said to have started in the 1980s when the women were young and working at the Sullivan-owned Daily and Sunday Sport newspapers.

The individuals allege that Sullivan engaged in sexually coercive and predatory conduct. They claim he used business meetings to pressure them into sexual acts, allegedly promising career advancement.

Sullivan has firmly rejected the allegations, stating that he "categorically" denies the claims. The accusations relate to the years during which he amassed his wealth through the pornography industry, newspaper publishing and football.

He resigned as joint-chair of West Ham after the accusations were made public.

The investigation also revealed that Sullivan has been banned from contact with West Ham's women's and youth teams.

The club suffered relegation from the Premier League into the Championship last season and he was regularly there attending matches, even if he and other board members have been regular targets of criticism from the supporters due to their handling of the club.

A spokesperson for London Stadium said that "following media reports at the end of the season regarding a safeguarding matter being managed by the club, London Stadium sought further information to ensure it could fulfil its own safeguarding responsibilities".

London Stadium has asked that they be told in advance if Sullivan is planning to attend a match so that extra security can be put in place. West Ham told the stadium organisers that the "matter was investigated and that the club does not consider there to be an ongoing safeguarding risk associated with Mr Sullivan attending the stadium".

It has been recommended that Sullivan stay away from games due to "potential for demonstrations and anti-social behaviour by some spectators".