West Ham co-owner David Sullivan has been advised not to attend the club's home matches following a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times into allegations of sexual misconduct against him.

London Stadium, the publicly owned venue where West Ham play their home fixtures, told BBC News it had formally recommended that Sullivan stay away from matches due to concerns over potential fan unrest. The stadium has also requested advance notice of any planned visits by Sullivan so that additional safety measures can be put in place.

Despite the recommendation, it is understood that Sullivan intends to defy the request — and that the club has already informed London Stadium of this intention.

Allegations and resignation

The BBC Panorama and The Times investigation revealed that seven women have accused Sullivan of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour. Sullivan has categorically denied all of the allegations.

He stepped down as joint chairman of West Ham shortly before the investigation was broadcast, stating he wished to concentrate on contesting what he described as "factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life." He continues to hold the position of the club's largest shareholder.

The investigation further disclosed that Sullivan had been banned from contact with West Ham's women's and youth teams for three years as a result of safeguarding concerns — restrictions that London Stadium was unaware of until the BBC's report was published.

Background to the ban

The three-year ban followed a historic allegation about Sullivan's conduct that was raised with the Football Association in 2023. Sullivan has previously denied the allegation, and stated that, as he had never met any academy or women's team players on a one-to-one basis during his 16 years at the club, he accepted what he called a "meaningless restriction…for a quiet life."

A spokesperson for London Stadium said the venue had sought further information from West Ham after media reports emerged at the end of last season regarding a safeguarding matter. West Ham told the stadium that the matter had been investigated and that the club did not consider Sullivan's attendance to pose an ongoing safeguarding risk.

Nonetheless, London Stadium proceeded with its recommendation that Sullivan stay away, citing the "potential for demonstrations and anti-social behaviour by some spectators."

First home fixture approaching

West Ham, who were relegated from the Premier League in May, are set to play their first home match of the new season — a Carabao Cup tie against Portsmouth — on Saturday. It is understood that the club plans to work with London Stadium to facilitate Sullivan's attendance at that fixture and future games.

West Ham declined to comment on the situation. Sullivan has not responded to a request for comment.