West Ham chief David Sullivan advised to stay away from home matches after ‘serious historic allegations’

DAVID Sullivan, West Ham’s co-owner, has been advised to stay away from home matches following allegations of historic sexual misconduct. The 77-year-old billionaire recently quit the football club after a BBC Panorama investigation revealed several women accused Sullivan of predatory behaviour and sexual exploitation, which he denies London Stadium has advised David Sullivan to stay away from home matches Credit: Getty It said it was concerned about ‘anti-social behaviour’ from spectators Credit: Getty The London Stadium, where West Ham play their home games, said it “recommended” Sullivan does not attend these matches, the BBC revealed. The advice was given following concerns about “potential for demonstrations and anti-social behaviour by some spectators”. Sign up for the Football newsletter Thank you! A spokesperson for the stadium told the BBC it asked Sullivan to give advance notice if he planned to make a visit so additional safety measures could be implemented. It said: “Following media reports at the end of the season regarding a safeguarding matter being managed by the club, London Stadium sought further information to ensure it could fulfil its own safeguarding responsibilities.” Fans have previously demonstrated at games Credit: Getty Sullivan has been accused of historic sexual misconduct allegations Credit: Getty The stadium also said that West Ham informed it that “the matter was investigated and that the club does not consider there to be an ongoing safeguarding risk associated with Mr Sullivan attending the stadium”. Sullivan has branded the claims of serious sexual misconduct as “factually incorrect and entirely false”. Despite this, the stadium still wanted Sullivan to stay away from home games following fan unrest. However, it is understood that Sullivan is expected to defy these requests. Most read in Sport The BBC approached Sullivan for comment but he did not respond. The Sun have approached London Stadium and West Ham for comment. This new advice comes after a BBC Panorama and Times investigation revealed allegations against Sullivan for historical sex abuse. He has been accused of abusing his power to prey on young women for sex – allegations dating back to the 1980s. Women alleged he used his position as owner of the Daily and Sunday Sport to pressure aspiring models into sex and proposition others. One woman, known as Florence, claimed she felt forced to have sex with him at his Essex mansion. She said she made excuses – telling him her boyfriend was in the house and that she was on her period – but claims Sullivan ignored her. Sullivan disputes her version of events and says her account of his home makes her claims implausible. The tycoon had also been secretly banned from having contact with the club’s youth and women’s matches for three years over safeguarding fears. A safeguarding panel made up of the club, the FA and the local authority ruled he should be kept away from the teams and was informed of the ban in writing by a senior club executive. Sullivan, who had been on for more than 16 years, later resigned and vowed to sue the BBC for libel, calling the Panorama allegations made against him “defamatory”. Following his resignation in June, a Hammers club statement read: “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. “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 Officer Karim Virani, reporting into the current Board of Directors, will continue to be responsible for leading the Club’s day-to-day operations.”