- David Sullivan announced he will step down as joint chair of West Ham United
- The 77-year-old states that his departure comes after he was “made aware of the impending publication of serious historic allegations”
- Sullivan took over the club in 2010 alongside the late David Gold
Former West Ham joint-chair David Sullivan has issued a lengthy personal statement following his sudden resignation from the club, vowing he would fight what he calls “false” claims and explaining why he felt compelled to step down.
The 77-year-old resigned from his position with immediate effect on Saturday, ending a 16-year tenure at the helm of the Hammers with the late David Gold after Karren Brady departed her vice-chair position in April. Sullivan’s resignation coincides with one of the most difficult periods in the club’s recent history, following relegation from the Premier League.
Sullivan maintained that the charges are about his private life and have nothing to do with West Ham or his involvement in football. He claimed that staying seated risked becoming a distraction for the club at a time when stability was most required.
David Sullivan’s West Ham statement denies wrongdoing
In a strongly written statement published by West Ham’s website, Sullivan denied all wrongdoing and stated that he plans to take legal action against the media outlets, specifically naming the BBC, that plan to publicise the allegations against him.
Here’s an excerpt of Sullivan’s statement:
“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.
“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.
“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. I am absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as.
“I have not been provided with any proper explanation as to how these individuals or their claims were independently verified or assessed for credibility prior to publication. I believe that the entire process has been fundamentally unfair and completely lacking in any due impartiality. I will be suing the BBC for libel, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libelous allegations.
“None of these allegations relate to my more than 30 years in football; West Ham United has been one of the greatest passions and privileges of my life. I care deeply about the club, its supporters, its players, its staff, and its future. At what is already a challenging and important time for the club, I refuse to allow personal matters concerning me to become an unnecessary distraction or a source of instability.
“Therefore, after very careful consideration and with a heavy heart, I have decided to resign as Joint-Chair and Director of West Ham United FC with immediate effect.
“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.
“I am stepping down to apply my full energy and attention on fighting these false allegations. I have officially engaged my legal team and we are preparing to issue legal proceedings in respect of each and every false complaint that has been made against me. I will be seeking full redress, legally and publicly, on every single front.”
Sullivan’s departure puts an end to controversial West Ham era
Since arriving alongside David Gold in 2010, Sullivan has overseen the club’s move from Upton Park to the London Stadium, several European campaigns, including the historic 2023 UEFA Europa Conference League victory in Prague. However, his ownership has been severely criticised by many fans, notably for lackadaisical leadership and failing to protect the club’s long-term strategy, which has culminated in a drop into the Championship.
After Brady stepped down as vice-chair not long ago, the club’s leadership structure suddenly appears very different from what supporters have gotten accustomed to over the previous decade. West Ham have indicated that day-to-day operations will continue under the current leadership, with more information on the club’s management to come.
The expectation is that Daniel Křetínský, who has long been seen as the ideal successor to replace Sullivan since acquiring a 27% stake in West Ham in 2021, will expand his ownership in the club after being made joint-chairman in April 2026.
