David Sullivan agreed to stay away from West Ham women and youth teams after complaint
David Sullivan has agreed to stay away from West Ham’s women’s and youth teams following a historic complaint.
The club’s former joint-chairman, who resigned last week, said he had made a “temporary agreement” with the Football Association not to meet alone with any academy or female players while it resolved a complaint about an alleged incident in 1981.
The statement came after the BBC Times It said the FA launched a safeguarding investigation in 2023 after receiving allegations about Mr Sullivan’s conduct.
Mr Sullivan said the agreement was not a “ban” and denied that the incident at the center of the historic complaint had taken place.
Culture secretary Lisa Nandy said the FA should explain “why no further action was taken” following the investigation. West Ham United and the FA are understood to have rejected this.
BBC on Monday and Times It reported testimonies from seven women who alleged that Mr. Sullivan engaged in sexually exploitative and predatory behavior. The women’s stories date back to the 1980s and 90s, when tabloid newspapers were owned. Daily Sports And Sunday Sports.
Allegations against Mr. Sullivan include him pressuring young or aspiring models in their late teens or early twenties, according to the report.
Mr Sullivan said the allegations were “completely false” and he “categorically denies” them.
Ms Nandy said in a statement on Tuesday evening: “These latest revelations are absolutely appalling.
“If an investigation concludes that the allegations are serious enough to warrant a ban on contact with youth and women’s teams, then the FA must explain that decision and why no further action was taken.
“I expect a full and urgent explanation from the FA and West Ham about how these incredibly serious allegations are being handled.”
Mr Sullivan said the restriction was a “negotiated agreement” with the FA.
“I would like to clarify recent media reports regarding an agreement with the Football Federation that has been incorrectly described as a disciplinary ‘ban’,” he said. Independent.
“I have never met an academy or 1-2-1 women’s team player in my 16 years at West Ham United. Therefore, a negotiated and interim agreement was signed with the FA until the FA resolved an outstanding complaint regarding a single anonymous complaint regarding an incident in 1981.
“The complaint has nothing to do with my time in football and never has. Since it did not affect my work in any way, I saw it as a pointless restriction and accepted it for a quiet life.”
The FA said it could not comment on individual protection cases but said it took all allegations “very seriously” and was working closely with the police.
A spokesman said: “We operate a strong safeguarding program at all levels of English football and all referrals made to us are dealt with in line with our strict policies and procedures.
“Appropriate precautions are always taken against those who pose or may pose a risk of harm to children and adults at risk in football.
“This includes issuing appropriate removals in line with our safeguarding arrangements. The aim of our process is to protect children and adults at risk.”
A spokesperson for West Ham United said: “West Ham United has clear and robust safeguards in place, which are independently assessed and audited on an annual basis. The club is unable to comment or provide details on any individual safeguarding issues against best safeguarding practice.”
In a statement announcing his resignation as West Ham chairman at the weekend, Mr Sullivan said: “The false allegations made against me have been sensationalized by the media.
“After a lifetime of building a business in the adult industry where I have met thousands of women, it is unfortunately inevitable that a small number of allegations of inappropriate behavior will be made against me.
“I categorically deny these allegations.”
