LONDON (AP) – West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan resigned on Saturday ahead of “historic allegations” made against him by the English soccer club and in British media.
West Ham said Mr Sullivan was “aware that serious historical allegations were imminently being made public”.
The BBC announced late Saturday that the broadcaster and The Times would publish the findings of a joint investigation into Sullivan’s “conduct.” The BBC said the story would be broadcast on Monday.
West Ham said: “We have no understanding that the allegations relate to West Ham United or its management.”
The East London club said Mr Sullivan denied any wrongdoing, but added that he had decided to resign to “avoid any disruption” to the club while private matters were dealt with “in private”.
No further information was provided about the nature of the allegations or who would file them.
West Ham also released a separate statement from Sullivan, saying he intended to sue the BBC and other media outlets for defamation.
Ms Sullivan said she became aware that “decades-old allegations about my personal life are going to be aired and published.”
Sullivan, 77, published pornographic magazines and films in the late 1970s and 1980s.
“I have spent my life building a business in the adult industry and have met thousands of women, but unfortunately it is inevitable that a small number of allegations of inappropriate conduct will be made against me. I categorically deny these allegations,” he said.
“None of these allegations have anything to do with my more than 30 years of football.”
Sullivan began his involvement in football in 1993 when he bought Birmingham City. He left in 2009 and bought a stake in West Ham a year later.
west ham demoted From this season’s Premier League.
The club announced that interim CEO Karim Villani will continue to manage the day-to-day operations of the club.
West Ham had already dealt with it. Vice Chair Karen Brady retires In April.
West Ham co-chairman David Gold is Sullivan’s long-time business partner, having known him since he started in adult entertainment and into football ownership. he Died in 2023.
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