Sullivan attends West Ham game despite advice not to

What the report says

David Sullivan, the former co-chairman of West Ham United, attended the club’s Carabao Cup match against Portsmouth at London Stadium, despite being advised not to go to home games. The BBC reported that a London Stadium spokesperson had recommended he stay away because of concerns about possible fan unrest. The match was played in the opening round of the EFL Cup, which West Ham reached after last season’s relegation from the Premier League.

Sullivan resigned as West Ham co-chair in June after seven women accused him of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour, allegations he denies. According to the BBC’s report, he remains the club’s largest single shareholder with a 38.8% stake. The article also noted that a joint BBC Panorama and The Times investigation had previously reported that Sullivan had been barred from contact with West Ham’s women’s and youth teams for three years because of safeguarding concerns.

The Portsmouth fixture was West Ham’s first match since the allegations were reported. The BBC said there did not appear to be any disruption in the stadium before or shortly after kick-off. More broadly, the episode highlights the sensitivity around Sullivan’s continuing ties to West Ham even after stepping down from his executive role.