Sadiq Khan has called on Londoners to support West Ham in their relegation battle against Tottenham Hotspur, as the taxpayer will have to pay out £2.5million if the Hammers go down.
West Ham sit in 18th with just a couple of games to go, staring at the face of relegation, with them currently two points from getting out of the drop zone.
The Mayor of London explained due to Boris Johnson making the “worst deal imaginable”, City Hall will have to pay a huge bill should the Hammers go down.
He told The Standard: “What I’d say to Londoners who don’t support Spurs is you should probably be cheering on West Ham.
“The previous Mayor, Boris Johnson, did the worst deal that can be imaginable.
“As far as West Ham are concerned, as a deal of the century, where he basically gave them rent-free, this amazing stadium for 100 years.
“Now, if West Ham are relegated, we, the taxpayers, we City Hall, could lose up to £2.5million a year.
“So what I say to Londoners who don’t support Spurs is you should probably be cheering on West Ham, because the taxpayer will lose out if West Ham go down.”
Sir Sadiq Khan has called on Londoners to support West Ham if they do not back Spurs
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The Greater London Authority (GLA) will front the ball for operating the London Stadium.
With commercial revenues expected to fall should West Ham head down to the Championship, and higher stewarding costs due to four more home games than in the Premier League, the GLA will be forced to fork out more.
Under the 99-year lease signed by Johnson, West Ham pays £4.4million in rent and the GLA pays for all other costs associated with the stadium.
West Ham were denied a point against Arsenal after a lengthy VAR call
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West Ham were on course to pick up a huge point against Arsenal before a lengthy VAR call handed the Gunners all three points.
The Hammers believed they had salvaged a point deep into added time when Callum Wilson found the net, sparking celebrations among the home faithful.
However, those scenes of jubilation quickly turned to anger after officials chalked off the strike, determining Wilson had committed a foul on Raya in the build-up.
The lengthy VAR review only heightened tensions inside the stadium, leaving home supporters incensed by the final decision.
GLA will have to fork out more with their deal signed by Boris Johnson at the London Stadium
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For Arsenal, the ruling meant unbridled joy, while the Hammers were left to contemplate what might have been.
The defeat leaves West Ham mired in the relegation zone, with two games left against Newcastle United and Leeds United.
The contrast in fortunes between the two clubs could scarcely be starker, with Arsenal now closing in on their first league championship in 22 years.
