David Sullivan has resigned as joint-chair and director of West Ham United with immediate effect, the 77-year-old billionaire announced on Saturday, saying he needed to devote his “full energy and attention” to fighting what he described as “false allegations” about his personal conduct. His departure comes just two weeks after the club was relegated from the Premier League.
Sullivan, who made his fortune in the adult entertainment industry before founding the Sport newspapers, said he was stepping down “for the benefit of transparency”. The allegations are due to be aired as part of a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and the Times on Monday.
“David Sullivan resigns as West Ham joint-chair to fight 'false allegations' ahead of BBC Panorama and Times investigation.”
“I am absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as,” Sullivan said in a statement issued through his legal representatives. “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.”
He said he “categorically” denied the accusations, describing them as “factually incorrect and entirely false”, and vowed to sue any outlet that broadcast or published them. “I will be suing the BBC for libel, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libellous allegations,” he said.
“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,” Sullivan added. “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.”
He described the decision to resign as “incredibly painful” but said it was made “out of love, respect, and responsibility toward a football club and a fanbase that deserve absolute unity”. The former pornography baron has long been a controversial figure in football, and the impending broadcast sets the stage for a legal battle that could further overshadow a club already reeling from relegation.