Essex Police Investigate New Information on West Ham Co-Owner David Sullivan Amid Abuse Allegations

Essex Police have received new information and are conducting inquiries into allegations of sexually exploitative and predatory behavior against West Ham co-owner David Sullivan. The claims, revealed in a joint investigation, date back to the 1980s, though Sullivan has categorically denied them.

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some contact and enquiries into those are now under way

Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has held urgent meetings with the Football Association (FA) and West Ham to address safeguarding concerns. Sullivan has reportedly been subject to restrictions for three years, preventing him from contacting women's and youth teams, a ban that was not public knowledge and did not stop him from attending men's first-team matches.

Sullivan stated that he had never met academy or women's team players "1-2-1" during his 16 years at West Ham and described the complaint as having "nothing to do about my time in football and it never happened." He characterized the agreement as a "meaningless restriction" accepted "for a quiet life."

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had nothing to do about my time in football and it never happened

Nandy has called for a "full and urgent explanation" regarding the handling of the "incredibly serious allegations." West Ham has reportedly conveyed confidence in its "robust safeguarding measures." Meanwhile, sponsor Boyle Sports expressed "extreme concern" and supports the Independent Football Regulator's review.

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I saw it as a meaningless restriction, as it didn't impact on my work in any way, therefore I accepted it for a quiet life

Eight women have reportedly gone to the police with disclosures about Sullivan's conduct, though no charges have been filed. Sullivan, 77, resigned as joint chair on Saturday, stating he wished to focus on refuting "factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life."

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full and urgent explanation