David Sullivan is expected to attend West Ham’s Carabao Cup clash with Portsmouth on Saturday despite London Stadium recommending that the club’s former co-chair stays away from home matches.
The 77-year-old remains a major shareholder at the Hammers and is anticipated to be present for their first-round tie despite concerns from stadium officials about potential fan unrest.
Sullivan resigned as West Ham co-chair in June following a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times in which seven women made allegations of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour against him. Sullivan categorically denies the allegations.
Saturday’s fixture would be West Ham’s first match since the claims were initially reported and could therefore bring renewed scrutiny over Sullivan’s position at the club.
A London Stadium spokesperson told the BBC on Monday that it had “recommended” to West Ham that Sullivan does not attend matches.
Officials have also requested advance notice should the businessman, who retains a 38.8 per cent stake in West Ham, plan to visit the stadium.
That would allow additional safety and operational measures to be introduced ahead of his arrival.
David Sullivan set to attend first West Ham match of the season despite being advised to stay away
Despite that recommendation, West Ham are expecting Sullivan to be present when Nuno Espirito Santo’s side face Portsmouth on Saturday afternoon.
The situation adds another layer of uncertainty to what has already been a period of significant change at the east London club.
West Ham are preparing for life in the Championship after suffering relegation from the Premier League last season, bringing an end to their 15-year stay in the top flight.
David Sullivan stood down as the club’s joint chairman in June | PA
Sullivan had already faced considerable criticism from sections of the West Ham support over the running of the club before their relegation.
While matters have begun to stabilise on the pitch, with manager Nuno and captain Jarrod Bowen among the key figures committing their futures to West Ham, significant questions remain over the club’s ownership.
Vanessa Gold, daughter of the late former co-chair David Gold, had initially been in discussions over selling part of her family’s stake to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky.
However, she subsequently reached an agreement with former Newcastle co-owner Amanda Staveley over the sale of her entire 25.1 per cent holding.
Kretinsky has since reduced his own West Ham stake to below 25 per cent.
That could potentially allow him to purchase Gold’s shares under the club’s pre-emption rights, which provide existing shareholders with the opportunity to acquire shares when they become available.
West Ham captain Jarrod Bowen was heartbroken after relegation last season
| REUTERS
Should Kretinsky ultimately do so, he could become West Ham’s largest shareholder without triggering a separate provision that would require him to make an offer for the remainder of the club.
For now, attention will turn back to matters on the pitch as the Hammers begin their Carabao Cup campaign against fellow Championship side Portsmouth.
A huge crowd is anticipated for the 3pm kick-off at London Stadium, with West Ham having sold 55,000 season tickets for the new campaign.
The fixture is consequently expected to establish a new attendance record for a first-round EFL Cup tie.
