FOOTBALL Association bosses were aware of “historical allegations” against West Ham chairman David Sullivan years before he quit at the weekend.
Concerns about his conduct have been raised with the football governing body since 2023, leading them to launch an investigation and gather witness testimony, according to reports.
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FA bosses were aware of ‘historical allegations’ against David Sullivan years before he quit Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
The former West Ham chairman announced he was stepping aside on Saturday, pictured the London Stadium Credit: Getty
The billionaire, 77, who made his fortune in the porn industry, announced he was stepping aside on Saturday and intends to sue the BBC for libel.
The Beeb’s current affairs Panorama programme is today set to share “serious historical allegations” relating to the former West Ham boss’s personal life in a joint investigation with The Times.
Sullivan has called the allegations “factually incorrect and entirely false”.
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.
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“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. I will be suing the BBC for libel.”
The FA refused to confirm on the record to the Telegraph if they had previously investigated Sullivan, saying they are “unable to comment on individual safeguarding matters”.
His departure from the club comes after the Hammers were relegated from the Premier League last month.
Concerns about his conduct have been raised with the football governing body since 2023 Credit: PA:Press Association
The billionaire, 77, who made his fortune in the porn industry, intends to sue the BBC for libel Credit: PA
The side posted a £104million loss last year and now face life in the Championship and the possibility of having to sell £150million worth of players to help balance the books.
Mr Sullivan, who had made his first million by the age of 25, said on Saturday that he would be stepping down “with a heavy heart” after 16 years at the East London club.
The businessman said the “incredibly painful decision” was one “made out of love, respect, and responsibility toward a football club and fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward.”
Mr Sullivan retains his stake of almost 40 per cent for now, with insiders claiming that his two sons, Jack and David Jr, are being pitched as potential replacements.
But he has long faced opposition from West Ham fans about the club’s direction — and their controversial move from their much-loved Upton Park home to the London Stadium four miles away a decade ago.
