David Sullivan has stepped down as joint-chair and director of West Ham United with immediate effect, after being told of the impending publication of “serious historic allegations” — allegations he vehemently denies and says will prompt him to sue the BBC for libel.
The 77-year-old, who has been the club’s largest single shareholder since the death of David Gold in January 2023, released a statement through his legal representatives on Saturday calling the claims “factually incorrect and entirely false”. “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,” he said. “I categorically deny these claims.”
“David Sullivan resigns as West Ham joint-chair after being told of impending publication of serious historic allegations, which he denies.”
Sullivan insisted none of the allegations relate to his more than 30 years in football or to West Ham United — a club he described as “one of the greatest passions and privileges of my life”. His departure comes just two weeks after the Hammers were relegated from the Premier League, finishing 18th, following a season marked by fan protests calling for him and Baroness Brady to leave. Brady had already resigned as vice-chair on 15 April.
In a club statement, West Ham confirmed Sullivan had also resigned as a director of WH Holding Limited and West Ham United FC, having been made aware of the impending publication. “Through his own legal representatives Mr Sullivan denies any illegal conduct and has taken the decision to step down in order to avoid disruption to the club while he addresses the matter privately,” the statement added.
Sullivan said he was stepping down “for the benefit of transparency” and to apply his “full energy and attention” to defending himself. He accused the media of sensationalising the allegations and criticised the lack of independent verification before publication. “I believe that the entire process has been fundamentally unfair and completely lacking in any due impartiality,” he said. “I will be suing the BBC for libel, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libellous allegations.”
Interim chief executive Karim Virani will continue to run day-to-day operations, reporting to the existing board, which includes Vanessa Gold and Daniel Kretinsky. The club said it would provide an update on the future board structure “in due course” but would make no further comment now.
Sullivan and Gold first bought into West Ham in January 2010, overseeing the club’s move from Upton Park to the London Stadium in 2016 and their Conference League victory in 2023 — the first major trophy since 1980. But the club’s form has declined sharply: after a sixth-place finish in 2021, they have finished in the bottom half three of the past four seasons, culminating in relegation last month. For Sullivan, who once described himself as a private man, the fight now shifts from the boardroom to the courtroom.