West Ham United FC has confirmed long-serving joint-chairman David Sullivan has stepped down from his position. It comes with immediate effect after the club became aware of the impending publication of what is described as “serious historic allegations”.
In a statement released on Saturday, the Premier League club said Sullivan had resigned as both joint-chairman and director of West Ham and its parent company, WH Holding Limited. The club stressed none of the allegations relate to West Ham United or its operations, reports the Mirror.
A statement from the club said: “West Ham United can confirm that Joint-Chair David Sullivan has stepped down from his position with immediate effect. Mr Sullivan has also resigned as a director of both WH Holding Limited and West Ham United Football Club, having been made aware of the impending publication of serious historic allegations.
“It is understood none of the allegations relate to West Ham United or any of its operations.” The club added Sullivan denies any wrongdoing and has chosen to step aside to avoid disrupting the running of the club.
View 3 ImagesDavid Sullivan denies the allegations.(Image: John Walton/PA Wire)
“Through his own legal representatives Mr Sullivan denies any illegal conduct and has taken the decision to step down in order to avoid disruption to the Club while he addresses the matter privately.” Interim chief executive Karim Virani will continue to oversee the club’s day-to-day operations, with West Ham saying an update on the future structure of the board will be provided in due course.
In a separate statement issued through his legal representatives, Sullivan strongly denied the allegations, describing them as “factually incorrect and entirely false”. “I have recently become aware that factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life are due to be broadcast and published,” he said.
“The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media. 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 also criticised the process leading to publication of the allegations and said he intends to pursue legal action. “I will be suing the BBC for libel, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libellous allegations,” he said.
Explaining his decision to leave the club, Sullivan said he did not want personal matters to become a distraction at what he described as an important period for West Ham. “Therefore, after very careful consideration and with a heavy heart, I have decided to resign as Joint-Chair and Director of West Ham United FC with immediate effect.
“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.”
View 3 ImagesWest Ham United fans with a protest banner against Karren Brady and David Sullivan. (Image: Adam Davy/PA Wire)
Sullivan has been involved in football ownership for more than three decades. He and his late business partner David Gold purchased Birmingham City in 1993 before selling their interests in 2009. The pair then acquired a 50 per cent stake in West Ham United in 2010, with Sullivan remaining a central figure in the club’s ownership structure ever since.
He said he would now focus his attention on contesting the allegations through the courts, adding: “I am stepping down to apply my full energy and attention on fighting these false allegations.”
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Sullivan concluded by thanking supporters, players, staff and directors for their support during his time at the club and said West Ham would “always remain close to my heart”.
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