The football watchdog has contacted West Ham to seek urgent information over the club’s co-owner David Sullivan after multiple women accused him of preying on them for sex.
The Independent Football Regulator (IFR), which described the allegations as “extremely serious”, is expected to use its statutory powers to determine if there are grounds of concern over Mr Sullivan’s role at the club.
The government also described the allegations as “deeply concerning”.
On Monday, the BBC and The Times reported the accounts of seven women who claimed Mr Sullivan engaged in sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour.
The accounts from the women date back to the 1980s and 1990s, when he owned the tabloid newspapers Daily Sport and Sunday Sport.
According to the reports, the claims about Mr Sullivan involve him pressuring young or aspiring models in their late teens or early 20s to engage in sexual behaviour. The 77-year-old billionaire said in a statement he “categorically denies” all the claims.
An IFR spokesperson said: “These are extremely serious allegations.
“We are in contact with West Ham on this matter and will use our statutory powers to seek urgent information from David Sullivan relating to his suitability under our owners, directors and senior executives regime.”
A Department for Culture, Media and Sport spokesperson added: “These deeply concerning allegations must be treated with the utmost seriousness and be investigated by the relevant authorities, with victims given the support they need.
“The government stands strongly against any form of harassment or abuse of power in the workplace and is working across industries to stamp it out and build an environment where people feel safe and able to challenge inappropriate behaviour.”
Mr Sullivan announced over the weekend that he had stepped down as chair of the east London football club to fight the allegations.
He said in a statement: “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.”
The Metropolitan Police said they were investigating a report relating to the “alleged taking of indecent images and sexual exploitation at locations in London and Essex in the 1980s”.
The force said this investigation related to one alleged victim and was being led by specialist detectives from the Met’s rape and serious sexual offences team.
Mr Sullivan made his millions from the pornography industry throughout the 1970s.
In 1982, he was convicted of living off immoral earnings and served 71 days in prison before successfully appealing.
His newspaper Daily Sport ran a feature called “Countdown to 16”, where readers would be shown photos of partially clothed schoolgirls. Their 16th birthdays would then be announced with the publication of topless photos.
At the time, 16 was the minimum age someone could appear topless. In 2004, this was raised to 18.
Mr Sullivan’s net worth was estimated to be around £1.2bn in 2024, according to The Times Rich List.
He and business partner David Gold completed their takeover of West Ham in 2010 after selling Birmingham City, and brought Karren Brady with them as vice-chair.
Their tenure oversaw the move from Upton Park to the former Olympic Stadium in 2016.
A Scotland Yard spokesperson said: “We take all allegations of offences against women and girls extremely seriously, no matter the length of time that has passed.
“As with all cases, any information or evidence provided to police will be assessed and the appropriate inquiries carried out.
“In recent years, we have been working closely with partners across the criminal justice system to ensure that victim-survivors are at the heart of our response, with a greater focus on suspects and their offending.
“We would encourage any victims of sexual offences to come forward and speak to us on 101, or 999 in an emergency.”
The FA has been contacted for comment. West Ham and Birmingham City declined to comment.
