David Sullivan: West Ham joint-chair steps down from position with immediate effect

David Sullivan has stepped down from his position as joint-chair of West Ham.

The 77-year-old, who had been on the board at West Ham for over 16 years, has stepped down ahead of the "impending publication of serious historic allegations". Through West Ham and his own statement, Sullivan denied all allegations.

It is understood none of the allegations relate to West Ham or any of its operations, the club said.

Sullivan's statement read: "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.

"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.

"I am a private man, and those who personally and professionally know the real David Sullivan, not the caricature invented by the tabloids, know exactly who I am and what I stand for. I am absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as.

"I have not been provided with any proper explanation as to how these individuals or their claims were independently verified or assessed for credibility prior to publication.