David Sullivan, the former co-chair of West Ham United, attended the club's Carabao Cup first-round match against Portsmouth on Saturday, despite being advised to stay away from matches.
The 77-year-old resigned from his position in June after a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and the Times reported that seven women had accused him of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour. Sullivan denies the allegations.
Warning from London Stadium
Earlier this week, a spokesperson for London Stadium told BBC News that it had "recommended" to West Ham that Sullivan not attend matches due to concerns about fan unrest. The stadium also asked for advance notice of any planned visits by Sullivan to implement additional safety measures.
Despite this, Sullivan was present at Saturday's match. He remains a majority shareholder with a 38.8 per cent stake in the club.
Background of Allegations
Saturday's match was the club's first competitive fixture since the allegations came to light. As part of the allegations, it was reported that Sullivan was banned from contact with West Ham's women's and youth teams for the past three years due to safeguarding concerns. He was previously banned after a historical allegation was raised with the Football Association in 2023, which he also denies.
Sullivan has faced scrutiny and abuse from fans following the club's relegation to the Premier League for the first time since 2011.
Sullivan's Wealth and Background
Sullivan is the fifth richest person from Wales, with a net worth estimated at £1.1 billion in the Sunday Times Rich List. Born in Cardiff and raised in a Penarth council house, he earned his millions in the adult industry, running half of the UK's adult magazine market and 150 sex shops by the late 1970s. In 1982, he was convicted of living off immoral earnings and served 71 days in prison, but he told the Standard in 2012 that he did not "feel embarrassed" by how he made his money.
Sullivan's Statement on Resignation
Following his resignation, Sullivan released a statement saying: "I have recently become aware that factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life are due to be broadcast and published."
He added: "The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media. After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me. I categorically deny these claims."
Sullivan stated he would sue the BBC for libel, saying: "I will be suing the BBC for libel, along with any other media outlet that repeats any libelous allegations." He also said he was stepping down to focus on fighting the allegations, adding: "I am stepping down to apply my full energy and attention on fighting these false allegations."
