Key facts
- West Ham majority owner David Sullivan is under police investigation following new information.
- Multiple women have accused Sullivan of sexual exploitation and predatory behaviour dating back to the 1980s.
- Sullivan denies all allegations, stating they are false and never happened.
- The FA initiated a safeguarding investigation into Sullivan in 2020 concerning a 1981 allegation.
- Sullivan has been banned from contacting women's and youth teams for three years.
- Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has met with the FA and West Ham regarding the matter.
Essex Police are investigating new information concerning West Ham majority owner David Sullivan following a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times. The investigation revealed multiple accusations of sexual exploitation and predatory behaviour dating back to the 1980s, including a specific allegation from 1981. Sullivan has categorically denied all claims, stating they are factually incorrect and never happened.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has held urgent meetings with the Football Association (FA) and West Ham to discuss the matter. Sullivan has been subject to restrictions, banning him from contacting women's and youth teams, for three years since 2023, following a historic allegation raised with the FA. He stated these restrictions did not impact his work and he accepted them for a quiet life, adding he never met academy or women's team players one-on-one during his 16 years at the club.
West Ham sponsor Boyle Sports has expressed extreme concern over the allegations and supports the ongoing review by the Independent Football Regulator, which has the power to force shareholders to sell if deemed unsuitable. Sullivan resigned as a West Ham director and co-chair shortly before the allegations were published.