BBC Panorama and The Times investigation forces the West Ham joint-chair out after 16 years – and raises fresh questions about fit and proper standards across the game
David Sullivan has stepped down as joint-chair of West Ham United with immediate effect, having been made aware of the impending publication of serious historic allegations due to be broadcast by BBC Panorama and published in The Times on 8 June 2026 (today at time of writing).
BBC Panorama and The Times have been working together on a joint investigation into the behaviour of David Sullivan. The BBC said in a statement: “Over decades, he’s made millions from pornography, newspapers, and football.”
Sullivan, 77, categorically denied the claims. He said: “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 said.
“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.”
He confirmed he intends to sue the BBC and any other outlet that repeats what he describes as libellous allegations.
The club confirmed that none of the allegations relate to West Ham United or any of its operations, and that interim-CEO Karim Virani, reporting into the current board of directors, will continue to be responsible for leading the club’s day-to-day operations.
David Sullivan: The end of an era already in freefall
Sullivan’s departure caps an extraordinary collapse of the ownership structure he helped build. Sullivan and business partner David Gold completed their takeover of West Ham after selling Birmingham City, bringing Karren Brady with them as Vice-Chairman.
Gold passed away in 2023. Brady departed in April this year. Now Sullivan is gone, all three principals of the regime that defined West Ham for a generation are no longer in place.
West Ham finished 18th in the Premier League in 2025-26 and were relegated, with their demotion to the Championship confirmed on 24 May.
Fan protests had become a fixture of match days, with supporters waving banners reading “sold us a dream, we are living the nightmare” and the fan advisory board issuing a formal vote of no confidence in the board earlier in the season.
Sullivan acknowledged the timing in his resignation statement, saying the decision was made out of “love, respect, and responsibility” toward a club that deserves “absolute unity and focus moving forward.”
Where do West Ham go from here?
Reports from The Athletic suggest Sullivan is open to selling his 38.8% stake in the coming months as West Ham enter the Championship under the stewardship of Daniel Kretinsky and Vanessa Gold.
His immediate resignation and potential sale in response to the upcoming Panorama show points questions at The Premier League’s Owners’ and Directors’ Test – a process implemented by the league to screen Director’s past activity.
However, this is at the point of onboarding, not for those like Sullivan who were in post for extended periods.
The Football Governance Act, which passed through parliament earlier this year, establishes an Independent Football Regulator with enhanced powers over ownership – but its full implementation remains a work in progress.
Sullivan’s exit, arriving at the end of a season already disfigured by protest, relegation, and boardroom attrition, will add to the pressure on regulators to demonstrate newer powers mean something.
Sullivan’s case adds to an accumulation of ownership controversies across English football in recent years – from state-backed takeovers to financial fair play disputes to personal conduct allegations – has built pressure on the Premier League and the Football Association to demonstrate that governance has teeth.
