West Ham co-owner David Sullivan attends match despite stadium advice to stay away
London Stadium had requested advance notice of Sullivan’s attendance due to safeguarding concerns and potential fan unrest
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West Ham co-owner David Sullivan was present at the club’s Carabao Cup match against Portsmouth on 27 August, despite advice from London Stadium to avoid the venue. The stadium’s landlord had raised safeguarding concerns following allegations of sexual misconduct against Sullivan, published in June by BBC Panorama and The Times.
Seven women accused Sullivan of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour during the investigation. Sullivan, 77, denied all allegations and stepped down as joint club chairman before the report aired. He described the claims as "factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life."
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Stadium advised Sullivan to stay away
London Stadium issued a statement on 29 August confirming it had advised Sullivan not to attend matches. The stadium said it sought further information from West Ham to ensure it could meet its safeguarding responsibilities. The club informed the stadium that it did not consider Sullivan’s presence to pose an ongoing safeguarding risk.
However, London Stadium cited the potential for fan demonstrations and anti-social behaviour as reasons for its advice. It also requested advance notice of any planned attendance by Sullivan to allow for "appropriate safety and operational measures." No unrest was reported during the 27 August match, which attracted a crowd including 9,000 Portsmouth supporters.
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What happens next
It is unclear whether Sullivan will attend future matches. London Stadium has not indicated whether its advice to stay away remains in place. West Ham has not commented on whether it will provide advance notice of Sullivan’s attendance, as requested by the stadium.
Questions this report answers
+Why was David Sullivan advised to stay away from London Stadium?
London Stadium advised Sullivan to stay away due to safeguarding concerns and the risk of fan demonstrations following allegations of sexual misconduct. The stadium requested advance notice of his attendance to prepare safety measures, as reported by MyLondon on 29 August.
+Has David Sullivan responded to the allegations against him?
Sullivan denies all allegations of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour made by seven women in a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times. He stepped down as West Ham’s joint chairman in June, calling the claims "factually incorrect and entirely false."
+Were there any protests during the match Sullivan attended?
No reports of unrest were recorded during West Ham’s 27 August Carabao Cup match against Portsmouth. The crowd included 9,000 Portsmouth supporters, and the game proceeded without incident, according to MyLondon.
+Will Sullivan attend future West Ham matches?
It is unclear whether Sullivan will attend future matches. London Stadium has not confirmed if its advice to stay away remains in place, and West Ham has not stated whether it will comply with the request for advance notice of his attendance.
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