West Ham co-chair David Sullivan resigns

David Sullivan, the 77-year-old joint-chair of West Ham United, announced his immediate resignation from the club after 16 years, citing "false allegations" concerning his personal life.

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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.

Sullivan, who established a business empire through ownership of adult magazines and sex shops, issued a statement vehemently denying the allegations. He described them as "factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations" that were being sensationalized by the media. He acknowledged that after a lifetime in the adult industry, meeting thousands of women, some improper conduct claims were inevitable, but he "categorically deny[ied] these claims."

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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 expressed that the allegations had been "incredibly painful" and that his decision to step down was driven by "love, respect, and responsibility toward a football club and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward." He added that those who know him personally and professionally recognize the "real David Sullivan, not the caricature invented by the tabloids."

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I am a private man, and those who personally and professionally know the real David Sullivan, not the caricature invented by the tabloids, know exactly who I am and what I stand for.

West Ham United stated they would provide an update on the future structure of the board of directors in due course. The club is currently owned in part by Czech businessman Daniel Kretinsky, who purchased a 27 percent stake in 2021 and is reportedly set to increase his holding. Sullivan's tenure, alongside former partner David Gold, was marked by the controversial move from Upton Park to the London Olympic Stadium in 2016, which drew significant protests from supporters.

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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.