Maha Christopher
West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan has stepped down from his role with immediate effect, saying he wants to focus on challenging what he described as false allegations concerning his private life.
According to AFP, the 77 year old businessman announced his resignation on Saturday after 16 years at the helm of the Premier League club.
Sullivan said he had become aware that “factually incorrect and entirely false” allegations about his personal life were due to be published and broadcast.
“The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media,” Sullivan said.
“After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry, in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me. I categorically deny these claims.”
Sullivan and his late business partner, David Gold, took control of West Ham after selling Birmingham City and brought Karren Brady with them as vice chair.
Their tenure included the club’s controversial move from Upton Park to the London Stadium in 2016, a decision that sparked protests from some supporters. West Ham were also relegated from the Premier League this season.
Explaining his decision to leave, Sullivan said he did not want the controversy to distract from the club’s future.
“This has been an incredibly painful decision to make, but it is one made out of love, respect, and responsibility toward a football club and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward,” he said.
West Ham said it would provide an update on the future structure of its board of directors in due course.
Meanwhile, Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky, who acquired a 27 per cent stake in the club in 2021, is reportedly expected to increase his shareholding.
