Arabic version: ظهور معلومات جديدة بشأن مزاعم ديفيد سوليفان
Essex Police have been contacted with new information about David Sullivan, co-owner of West Ham United, following a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times. According to BBC News, the police stated that “some contact and enquiries into those are now under way” after the investigation revealed multiple accusations against Sullivan for sexually exploitative and predatory behavior dating back to the 1980s. Sullivan has categorically denied the allegations.
Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy has convened urgent meetings with the Football Association (FA) and West Ham to address the situation. The investigation disclosed that Sullivan had been banned from contacting women’s and youth teams due to safeguarding concerns, a restriction that was not publicly known until recently. Sullivan had continued to attend men’s first team matches despite these restrictions, which have been in place for three years following a historic allegation raised with the FA in 2023.
In a statement, Sullivan claimed he had never met any academy or women’s team players “1-2-1” during his tenure at West Ham. He described the restrictions as a “meaningless” ban that did not affect his work, suggesting he accepted them for a “quiet life.” He further asserted that the complaint was unrelated to his football career.
Nandy has called for a “full and urgent explanation” regarding how the serious allegations against Sullivan have been managed. Meetings with West Ham and the FA were conducted to seek clarity on their handling of the safeguarding concerns. West Ham has expressed confidence in its “robust safeguarding measures.”
Boyle Sports, a major sponsor of West Ham, stated it was “extremely concerned” about the allegations against Sullivan and highlighted that it was unaware of the restrictions placed on him. The company supports the Independent Football Regulator’s urgent review of the matter. The investigation also revealed that eight women, including one participant in the inquiry, have approached the police with disclosures about Sullivan’s conduct, although none have led to charges. Sullivan, who resigned as joint chairman on Saturday, aims to focus on refuting what he calls “factually incorrect and entirely false” allegations from his past.
