West Ham anticipates that David Sullivan will be present at Saturday’s Carabao Cup first-round encounter with Portsmouth, notwithstanding official advice cautioning against his attendance at home matches held at London Stadium.
Sullivan, 77, stepped down from his position as co-chair of the club in June following the release of a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times. The investigation included accounts from seven women alleging sexually exploitative and predatory conduct by Sullivan. He has denied all allegations against him. London Stadium management conveyed a recommendation to West Ham’s leadership on Monday that Sullivan refrain from attending matches, citing concerns about potential fan disturbances. The venue has additionally requested advance notification of any visits by Sullivan, who maintains a 38.8% ownership stake in the club, to facilitate appropriate safety protocols and operational adjustments.
The Portsmouth match represents the first fixture the club will contest since the allegations gained public attention. The investigation also disclosed that Sullivan has been prohibited from contact with West Ham’s women’s and youth teams for the past three years due to safeguarding considerations. London Stadium officials stated they were not previously informed of these restrictions. Sullivan received the ban following a historical allegation that was submitted to the Football Association in 2023, which he has characterized as false.
The club has faced considerable fan criticism regarding Sullivan’s stewardship, particularly following West Ham’s relegation to the Championship in the previous season, marking their first descent from the Premier League since 2011. Recently, the organization has shown signs of stabilization in performance, with manager Nuno Espirito Santo and captain Jarrod Bowen both committing to their roles. Significant uncertainty persists regarding off-pitch matters, including ongoing shareholding arrangements and potential ownership transitions among major stakeholders.
Saturday’s fixture against Portsmouth, scheduled for 15:00 BST, is projected to establish an attendance record for an EFL Cup opening-round match, with West Ham having sold 55,000 season tickets for the current campaign.
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