West Ham United owner David Sullivan is expected to defy advice from London Stadium to stay away from the venue, amid fears of fan unrest following a BBC Panorama and The Times investigation into alleged sexual misconduct.
Sullivan, 77, was accused in the investigation of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour toward seven women. He denies any wrongdoing.
London Stadium, where West Ham play their home matches, recommended that Sullivan not attend games and asked for advance notice of any planned visits so it could put additional safety and operational measures in place. The BBC reports that Sullivan is expected to defy the request and has told the stadium as much.
Safeguarding ban and denials
Sullivan stepped down as joint chairman of West Ham shortly before the Panorama investigation aired, saying he wanted to focus on fighting what he called "factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life." He remains the Championship club's largest shareholder.
The investigation found Sullivan has been banned from contact with West Ham's women's and youth teams for the past three years over safeguarding concerns, after a historical allegation was raised with the Football Association in 2023. Sullivan denies the allegation and says he has never met an academy or women's player "one-to-one" during his 16-year tenure at the club.
Stadium and club respond
A London Stadium spokesperson said that following media reports at the end of the season regarding a safeguarding matter being managed by the club, the stadium sought further information to fulfil its own safeguarding responsibilities. West Ham responded that the matter had been investigated and that the club does not consider there to be an ongoing safeguarding risk associated with Sullivan attending the stadium.
London Stadium nonetheless upheld its recommendation that Sullivan stay away, citing the "potential for demonstrations and anti-social behaviour by some spectators."
West Ham begin their season on Saturday, August 8, against Portsmouth in the Carabao Cup at London Stadium. The club has declined to comment.
