West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has stepped down from his place as joint chairman of the membership with fast impact following a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and the Instances newspaper into his behaviour.
The BBC stated Panorama’s story is because of be broadcast and revealed on Monday.
The Hammers stated they’d “been made conscious of the approaching publication of significant historic allegations” regarding Sullivan.
In a press release of his personal, the 77-year-old stated a “small variety of improper conduct claims” have been made in opposition to him, including: “I categorically deny these claims.”
He stated the “decades-old allegations regarding my private life” are “factually incorrect and fully false”.
Sullivan, who had held the function for 16 years, stated he stepped down “to use my full vitality and a spotlight on combating these false allegations”.
Sullivan additionally stated he plans to sue the BBC for libel “together with some other media outlet that repeats any libellous allegations”.
The Hammers have been relegated from the Premier League on the finish of the 2025-26 season after ending 18th.
“At what’s already a difficult and essential time for the membership, I refuse to permit private issues regarding me to turn out to be an pointless distraction or a supply of instability,” added Sullivan, who has additionally resigned as a director.
“Subsequently, after very cautious consideration and with a heavy coronary heart, I’ve determined to resign.”
In a membership assertion, West Ham stated Sullivan has denied any “unlawful conduct” and is leaving “to be able to keep away from disruption to the membership whereas he addresses the matter privately”.
Sullivan has been the membership’s largest single shareholder for the reason that loss of life of his enterprise companion David Gold in January 2023, which left him with a 38.8% stake.
Sullivan and Gold turned joint chairmen of West Ham once they accomplished their takeover of the membership in January 2010.
“It’s understood not one of the allegations relate to West Ham United or any of its operations,” stated West Ham.
“Interim chief government officer Karim Virani, reporting into the present board of administrators, will proceed to be liable for main the membership’s day-to-day operations.
“The membership will present an replace on the longer term construction of the board of administrators in the end, however will make no additional remark at the moment.”
