David Sullivan, the former co-chairman of West Ham United, has been accused by seven women of using his wealth and influence to prey on young aspiring models. The explosive allegations were aired in a BBC Panorama documentary titled Predator: The Billionaire Football Boss.
Allegations Span Decades
Sullivan, 77, strongly denies the claims. The BBC programme investigated allegations spanning decades against the businessman. Seven women told Panorama and The Times newspaper that they encountered Sullivan while trying to build careers at the Daily Sport and Sunday Sport newspapers.
The women, who were in their late teens and early twenties at the time, accused the billionaire of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour. One woman said she felt pressured into having sex with Sullivan, while others claimed he offered to help their careers in return for sexual favours.
Admission of Paying for Sex
The investigation also reported that Sullivan admitted paying for sex in the 1990s with a girl he believed was aged 16 or 17. Sullivan, then in his 40s, said he believed the encounter was lawful. It only became illegal to pay for sex with a 16 or 17-year-old in 2003.
In a statement issued before the programme aired, Sullivan said: "The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media. I categorically deny these claims." The businessman, who resigned as West Ham's joint-chairman on Saturday, also said he would "be suing the BBC for libel" and described the allegations as "factually incorrect and entirely false."
Sullivan has been approached for comment.
