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London Stadium wants Sullivan to stay away from West Ham games

The West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has been advised not to attend the club’s home matches after a Times and BBC Panorama investigation into sexual misconduct allegations which he emphatically denies.

The operator of London Stadium, where West Ham play their home games, has recommended to the club that Sullivan, 77, does not go to games, due to potential for fan unrest.   Additionally, the stadium operator has asked for advance notice of any planned visits by Sullivan in order to implement extra safety and operational measures.

West Ham, however, have told London Stadium that they expect the businessman to still attend their games at the ground, before the club’s Carabao Cup tie against Portsmouth on Saturday, their first home match of the season.

The Times and BBC Panorama investigation also revealed that Sullivan has had safeguarding restrictions imposed on him since 2023, banning him from contact with West Ham’s youth and women’s teams. The restrictions were placed on Sullivan after the Football Association received a historical allegation against him.

A spokesman for London Stadium said on Monday that “following media reports at the end of the season regarding a safeguarding matter being managed by the club” it had “sought further information to ensure it could fulfil its own safeguarding responsibilities”.

It said that West Ham had told them 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”.

The spokesman added: “However, given the potential for demonstrations and anti-social behaviour by some spectators, we have recommended to the club that he does not attend. We have also requested advance notice of any planned attendance so that appropriate safety and operational measures can be put in place.”

West Ham, who were relegated from the Premier League in May, are understood to have informed the operator that Sullivan would attend matches and that the club are prepared to work with London Stadium on the issue.

Leaving to one side the recent unproven allegations, West Ham fans have been critical of Sullivan’s stewardship of the club which has arguably seen it fail to reach its potential, ending in a shock relegation.

 

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