West Ham chairman David Sullivan has confirmed he’s stepping down amid what he describes as ‘factually incorrect and completely false’ allegations regarding his private life.
Sullivan, 77, who has been accountable for the membership for 16 years, introduced his resignation with rapid impact in an announcement issued via his attorneys.
He mentioned: ‘I’ve just lately turn into conscious that factually incorrect and completely false, decades-old allegations regarding my private life are attributable to be broadcast and revealed.
‘The false allegations levelled towards me have been sensationalised by the media. After a lifetime spent constructing companies within the grownup trade by which I’ve met hundreds of ladies, it’s sadly inevitable {that a} small variety of improper conduct claims are being made towards me.
‘I categorically deny these claims.
‘I’m a personal man, and those that personally and professionally know the actual David Sullivan, not the caricature invented by the tabloids, know precisely who I’m and what I stand for. I’m completely not the particular person the media has determined to color me as.
‘I’ve not been supplied with any correct clarification as to how these people or their claims had been independently verified or assessed for credibility previous to publication. I consider that your entire course of has been essentially unfair and fully missing in any due impartiality. I can be suing the BBC for libel, together with every other media outlet that repeats any libelous allegations.
‘None of those allegations relate to my greater than 30 years in soccer; West Ham United has been one of many best passions and privileges of my life. I care deeply in regards to the membership, its supporters, its gamers, its workers, and its future. At what’s already a difficult and vital time for the membership, I refuse to permit private issues regarding me to turn into an pointless distraction or a supply of instability.
Sullivan, who has been accountable for the membership since 2010, introduced his resignation with rapid impact in an announcement issued via his attorneys
Sullivan was just lately in attendance on the London Stadium for West Ham’s final sport of the season towards Leeds, the place it was confirmed they had been to be relegated from the top-flight
‘Due to this fact, after very cautious consideration and with a heavy coronary heart, I’ve determined to resign as Joint-Chair and Director of West Ham United FC with rapid impact.
‘This has been an extremely painful choice to make, however it’s one made out of affection, respect, and duty towards a soccer membership and a fan base that deserve absolute unity and focus shifting ahead.
‘I’m stepping down to use my full vitality and a spotlight on combating these false allegations. I’ve formally engaged my authorized workforce and we’re getting ready to problem authorized proceedings in respect of every false criticism that has been made towards me. I can be searching for full redress, legally and publicly, on each single entrance.
‘As I depart, I wish to thank everybody linked with West Ham United, previous and current, for the loyalty, friendship, reminiscences and European adventures and successes that I’ll carry with me eternally. West Ham United will at all times stay near my coronary heart, and I’ve complete confidence that the Board of Administrators and interim Chief Govt Officer Karim Virani will do all the pieces they will to take the membership ahead in the proper path. I want everybody linked with the membership each success sooner or later.
‘I can’t be making additional public remark at this stage, however I reserve all authorized rights accessible to me in relation to any false or defamatory allegations.’
Sullivan, who purchased a 50 per cent share in West Ham with the late David Gold in 2010, remains to be the largest shareholder on the membership, who had been relegated from the Premier League final month.
He has been the goal of criticism from West Ham’s assist regularly all through what has been a dismal season on the London Stadium.
In April, he misplaced his right-hand girl when Baroness Karren Brady stepped down as vice chair. She had additionally spent 16 years with West Ham.
He has been the goal of criticism – alongside former vice-chair Brady – from West Ham’s assist regularly all through what has been a dismal season on the London Stadium
A West Ham assertion mentioned: ‘West Ham United can verify that Joint-Chair David Sullivan has stepped down from his place with rapid impact. Mr Sullivan has additionally resigned as a director of each WH Holding Restricted and West Ham United Soccer Membership, having been made conscious of the approaching publication of great historic allegations. It’s understood not one of the allegations relate to West Ham United or any of its operations.
‘By means of his personal authorized representatives Mr Sullivan denies any unlawful conduct and has taken the choice to step down so as to keep away from disruption to the Membership whereas he addresses the matter privately.
‘Interim chief government officer Karim Virani, reporting into the present Board of Administrators, will proceed to be answerable for main the Membership’s day-to-day operations. The Membership will present an replace on the long run construction of the Board of Administrators in the end, however will make no additional remark presently.’
