West Ham Co-Owner Faces Allegations of Sexual Exploitation
West Ham co owner accused of preying – Seven women have come forward with claims that David Sullivan, a billionaire co-owner of West Ham United, used his influence to sexually exploit them, including when they were teenagers. The allegations, revealed through a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times, span several decades, beginning in the 1980s. These women, who were in their late teens or early twenties, were aspiring glamour models seeking opportunities in Sullivan’s Daily and Sunday Sport publications.
Accusations of Predatory Behavior
The claims detail how Sullivan allegedly pressured women for sexual favors during business meetings, promising career advancement in exchange for intimacy. One woman, identified as Florence (a pseudonym), described feeling compelled to engage in sex despite her reluctance. “He made me feel like I had no choice,” she said, recalling an incident where Sullivan maneuvered her into a bedroom after a meeting.
“Florence said Sullivan told her during a business meeting at his Essex home that she would be one of his newspapers’ ‘regular girls’ if they had sex.”
Sullivan, 77, has “categorically” denied the accusations, calling them “decades-old allegations concerning my personal life” that are “fundamentally unfair.” He resigned as joint chair of West Ham United shortly before the report was set to air, stating he wanted to address the “factually incorrect” claims. Despite his denials, the investigation has uncovered corroborating evidence, including police records and diary entries.
Admission of Past Conduct
Separately, Sullivan admitted paying for sex in the 1990s with a girl he believed was 16 or 17 years old. At the time, he was in his 40s, and the legal age for consensual sex with a 16 or 17-year-old was not yet set by law. Another former model recounted being locked in a room by Sullivan during a meeting, with him only allowing her to leave after she raised her voice in protest.
“He was taking advantage of young people,” said one woman, describing Sullivan’s behavior. “You’ll be in all the magazine,” Sullivan reportedly said to Florence, using crude language to imply her future as a “regular girl” in his publications.
The investigation also highlights concerns about football authorities’ awareness of Sullivan’s conduct. While most of the women chose anonymity due to fear of repercussions, their accounts align with eight disclosures made to the Metropolitan or Essex Police. Florence, who was introduced to Sullivan in 1999 by the editor-in-chief of Sport, described her first encounter in detail, noting the opulence of his home and the pressure he exerted during the meeting.
Sullivan’s lawyers have labeled some accounts as implausible, but the investigation has validated key details through interviews and documented evidence. The case raises questions about how long his alleged predatory behavior went unchecked, even as he amassed wealth in pornography, media, and football.
