David Sullivan, the largest shareholder of West Ham United, has been restricted from contacting the club's women's and youth teams since 2023 due to a Football Association (FA) safeguarding investigation. The investigation, which began three years ago, stems from a complaint involving an alleged sexual misconduct incident unrelated to football, according to the Guardian.
Sullivan Denies Allegations
On Wednesday, Sullivan's lawyers stated that the restrictions were part of a 'negotiated and temporary agreement.' The 77-year-old billionaire described the safeguarding investigation as based on a 'single anonymous complaint' from an 'event in 1981' that he claims 'never happened.'
Sullivan resigned as a director and co-chair of West Ham on Saturday, prior to the publication of a joint investigation by the BBC and the Times. Seven women accused him of abusing his power and preying on them for sex, with allegations dating back to the 1980s and 1990s. He retains his financial stake in the club but could be forced to sell his shares by the football regulator, which called the allegations 'extremely serious.'
Previous Allegations
Three women claimed that Sullivan, a former pornography baron, used his position as owner of the Daily and Sunday Sport newspapers to prey on them for sex when they were seeking work. Four others accused him of exploitative and predatory behavior, including pressuring them into sex during business meetings. Sullivan has 'categorically' denied these allegations through his lawyers, stating, '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.'
In a new statement on Wednesday, Sullivan clarified: 'I wish to clarify recent media reports regarding a negotiated agreement with the Football Association (FA), which has been inaccurately described as a disciplinary ban. In my entire 16 years at West Ham I have never met any academy or women's team players one to one, therefore a negotiated and temporary agreement with the FA not to do so until the FA resolved an outstanding complaint in relation to a single anonymous complaint regarding an event in 1981 was entered into. The complaint had nothing to do with my time in football and it never happened. 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.'
Political and Club Responses
On Tuesday evening, Culture, Media and Sport Secretary Lisa Nandy described the revelations as 'utterly horrifying.' She demanded an explanation from the FA and West Ham, stating, 'If it is the case that an investigation concluded that there were sufficiently serious allegations to warrant a ban on contact with the youth and women's teams, then the FA must explain this decision and why no further action was taken.'
A West Ham spokesperson said the club cannot comment on individual cases but has 'clear and robust safeguarding measures in place, measures that are independently assessed and audited on an annual basis.'
The FA has not clarified whether the safeguarding investigation has been resolved. A spokesperson said: 'We take all safeguarding allegations and concerns very seriously, and we investigate each case within our jurisdiction thoroughly. Appropriate action is always taken against individuals who pose or may pose a risk of harm to children and adults at risk in football. This includes issuing appropriate suspensions in accordance with our safeguarding regulations. The aim of our process is to safeguard children and adults at risk, and we are unable to comment on individual safeguarding matters, including cases that remain active.'
