David Sullivan has stepped down from his role as joint chairman of West Ham United with immediate effect following a joint investigation conducted by BBC Panorama and The Times concerning allegations about his conduct.
David Sullivan has stepped down from his role as joint chairman of West Ham United with immediate effect following a joint investigation conducted by BBC Panorama and The Times concerning allegations about his conduct.
The club confirmed it had been informed of the forthcoming publication of what it described as serious historical accusations involving Sullivan. The BBC stated that Panorama’s report is scheduled to be aired and published on Monday.
In addition to relinquishing his position as chairman, the 77-year-old has also resigned from his place on the club’s board. Sullivan explained that he had taken the decision so he could devote his attention entirely to responding to the claims.
In a personal statement, Sullivan said that a limited number of allegations of inappropriate behaviour had been made against him. He firmly rejected the accusations, describing them as entirely untrue and factually incorrect.
According to Sullivan, the claims relate to events from decades ago and concern his private life. He stated that he intends to challenge the allegations and announced plans to pursue libel action against the BBC as well as any media organisation that republishes what he considers defamatory material.
He also said that remaining in his position could create unnecessary disruption at a difficult moment for the club and that he did not want personal matters to become a source of instability.
West Ham released its own statement noting that Sullivan denies any unlawful wrongdoing and explaining that his departure was intended to prevent interference with the club’s operations while he deals with the matter privately.
The club also stressed that none of the allegations are understood to involve West Ham United or any aspect of its activities. Day-to-day management will continue under interim chief executive officer Karim Virani, who will report to the existing board of directors.
Officials added that further details regarding the future composition of the board will be communicated at a later date, while no additional comment would be made for the time being.
Sullivan had occupied the chairman’s role for 16 years. Together with his late business partner David Gold, he became joint chairman when their takeover of West Ham was completed in January 2010. Following Gold’s death in January 2023, Sullivan became the club’s largest individual shareholder with a 38.8% stake.
During their time in charge, West Ham relocated from Upton Park to London Stadium in 2016 and lifted the Conference League trophy in 2023, ending a long wait for major silverware since the 1980 FA Cup triumph. The club’s highest Premier League finish under their ownership came with sixth place in 2021.
Recent seasons, however, have proved more difficult. West Ham finished in the lower half of the table in three of the previous four campaigns before being relegated from the Premier League after placing 18th in the 2025-26 season. Throughout that campaign, supporters staged several protests calling for Sullivan and Baroness Brady to leave their positions. Brady departed her vice-chair role on April 15.
