West Ham United shareholder David Sullivan is facing fresh scrutiny after the Independent Football Regulator contacted Essex Police and the Football Association as part of its ongoing assessment of his suitability as a club owner.
The Times reports that the regulator’s enquiries remain active following allegations of sexual misconduct made against Sullivan earlier this year.
Sullivan has categorically denied the allegations.
The latest development comes at a particularly significant point in West Ham’s ownership situation, with a deadline approaching over the future of the Gold family’s shares.
Regulator contacts police over David Sullivan
The Independent Football Regulator began seeking information after allegations against Sullivan were published in June.
Sullivan subsequently stepped down as West Ham’s joint-chairman and a director, although he retains a 38.8 per cent stake and remains the club’s largest individual shareholder.
The Times now reports that the regulator has contacted Essex Police and the FA as part of the checks being carried out under its owners, directors and senior executives framework.
Its assessment remains ongoing. No conclusion over Sullivan’s suitability has been announced.
West Ham ownership deadline adds another complication
The timing could have wider consequences for West Ham.
Amanda Staveley’s consortium has reached a provisional agreement to purchase the Gold family’s 25.1 per cent stake, but existing shareholders retain pre-emption rights.
West Ham officially confirmed that provisional agreement earlier this month.
The Times reports Sullivan has the right to purchase approximately 13 per cent, which would potentially take his holding to 51 per cent, with the current pre-emption deadline set for 2 September.
The regulator cannot prevent an existing owner from increasing their shareholding through that process.
However, its statutory powers allow it to assess whether existing owners remain suitable and, where the relevant legal threshold is met, ultimately require an owner to divest.
That makes the regulator’s continuing enquiries particularly important while West Ham’s long-term ownership structure remains unresolved.
For now, Sullivan retains his substantial stake while the regulator continues gathering information from the relevant authorities.
