Arjun Menon
David Sullivan stepped down as joint-chairman of West Ham United on Saturday, hours before what the club described as “serious historic allegations” were set to be published against him.
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In an official statement, West Ham confirmed that Sullivan departed his leadership role after being “made aware of the impending publication of serious historic allegations.” The club stressed that “none of the allegations relate to West Ham United or any of its operations,” and that Sullivan chose to step down to “avoid disruption” while addressing the matter privately. No further details were provided regarding the nature of the allegations or their source.
Sullivan, 77, published a separate personal statement denying any wrongdoing. “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,” he said. He described the allegations as “factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old” claims concerning his personal life. He also noted: “None of these allegations relate to my more than 30 years in football.”
Sullivan built his early fortune publishing adult magazines and films during the late 1970s and 1980s. He entered football in 1993 when he acquired a stake in Birmingham City, departing in 2009 before purchasing into West Ham the following year.
West Ham, based in east London, was relegated from the Premier League this season. Interim CEO Karim Virani will continue overseeing the club’s daily operations during this period.
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