West Ham co-owner David Sullivan accused of sexually exploitative behaviour

FootballSports
9 Jun 2026 • 4:43 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

The world’s most free-thinking newspaper

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan accused of sexually exploitative behaviour

  • Seven women have made allegations of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour against West Ham co-owner David Sullivan.
  • The claims, relating to historic incidents from the 1980s and 1990s, emerged from a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times.
  • The women allege that Mr Sullivan, then involved with his Daily and Sunday Sport newspapers, pressured them for sex or in exchange for work.
  • Mr Sullivan has vehemently denied all allegations, labelling them 'factually incorrect and entirely false'.
  • He has resigned as Joint-Chair and Director of West Ham United FC to focus on fighting these 'false allegations' and intends to sue the BBC for libel.

IN FULL