David Sullivan has quit crisis club West Ham United over ‘serious historic allegations’ that are about to be made public.
In a bombshell statement released yesterday the deeply unpopular co-owner revealed he had departed the relegated Hammers citing being ‘made aware of the impending publication of serious historic allegations’.
It is thought that a boardroom power struggle may now ensue, with Czech co-chairman Daniel Kretinsky understood to harbour reservations over a mooted plan for Sullivan’s two sons, Jack and David, to replace him. Indeed, Kretinsky, who has a 27 per cent stake, may seek increase his holding and take control of the club.
Sullivan, 77, cited ‘factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life’ which he said ‘are due to be broadcast and published’.
He said: ‘I have recently become aware that factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life are due to be broadcast and published.
‘The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media. 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.
‘I categorically deny these claims.
‘I am a private man, and those who personally and professionally know the real David Sullivan, not the caricature invented by the tabloids, know exactly who I am and what I stand for. I am absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as.
Sullivan, who has been in charge of the club since 2010, announced his resignation with immediate effect in a statement issued through his lawyers
Sullivan was recently in attendance at the London Stadium for West Ham’s last game of the season against Leeds, where it was confirmed they were to be relegated from the top-flight
‘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, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libelous allegations.’
Sullivan, who was formerly at Birmingham City, added that none of the allegations related to his time in football. ‘At what is already a challenging and important time for the club,’ he said. ‘I refuse to allow personal matters concerning me to become an unnecessary distraction or a source of instability.
‘Therefore, after very careful consideration and with a heavy heart, I have decided to resign as Joint-Chair and Director of West Ham United FC with immediate effect.
‘This has been an incredibly painful decision to make, but it is one made out of love, respect, and responsibility toward a football club and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus moving forward.
‘I am stepping down to apply my full energy and attention on fighting these false allegations. I have officially engaged my legal team and we are preparing to issue legal proceedings in respect of each and every false complaint that has been made against me. I will be seeking full redress, legally and publicly, on every single front.
‘As I depart, I want to thank everyone connected with West Ham United, past and present, for the loyalty, friendship, memories and European adventures and successes that I will carry with me forever.
‘West Ham United will always remain close to my heart, and I have total confidence that the Board of Directors and interim Chief Executive Officer Karim Virani will do everything they can to take the club forward in the right direction. I wish everyone connected with the club every success in the future.
He has been the target of criticism – alongside former vice-chair Brady – from West Ham’s support on a regular basis throughout what has been a dismal season at the London Stadium
‘I will not be making further public comment at this stage, but I reserve all legal rights available to me in relation to any false or defamatory allegations.’
As things stand, Sullivan retains his 38.8 per cent share in the club. In April, his right-hand woman Karren Brady quit the club.
Over a season of turmoil Hammers fans frequently protested against Sullivan and Brady amid toxic scenes. Following relegation a firesale of players is expected, along with substantial redundancies.
A separate statement from West Ham said Sullivan ‘has taken the decision to step down in order to avoid disruption to the club while he addresses the matter privately’.
They added that Interim chief executive officer Karim Virani ‘will continue to be responsible for leading the club’s day-to-day operations’.
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