London Stadium’s recommendation follows a joint BBC Panorama and The Times investigation reporting that seven women have accused Sullivan of sexually exploitative, predatory conduct. He has unequivocally denied the claims.
He stepped down as the club’s joint chairman shortly before the broadcast, saying he wanted to focus on contesting what he called “factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations” about his personal life. He remains the club’s largest shareholder.
The investigation also disclosed that Sullivan has been prohibited from contact with West Ham’s women’s and youth teams for three years over safeguarding concerns. London Stadium was unaware of the restriction until the BBC report.
The ban followed a historic allegation about his conduct raised with the Football Association in 2023. He has said the allegation was false and that, as he had never met any academy or women’s players “1-2-1” during his 16 years at the club, he accepted what he regarded as a “meaningless restriction… for a quiet life”.
West Ham were relegated from the Premier League in May and are due to play their first home game of the new season, a Carabao Cup tie against Portsmouth, on Saturday.
Sullivan was a frequent presence at London Stadium last season and was photographed watching from the directors’ box.
A spokesperson for London Stadium, which operates the publicly owned venue, said that “following media reports at the end of the season regarding a safeguarding matter being managed by the club, London Stadium sought further information to ensure it could fulfil its own safeguarding responsibilities”.
They said West Ham had informed the operator that the “matter was investigated and that the club does not consider there to be an ongoing safeguarding risk associated with Mr Sullivan attending the stadium”.
Nevertheless, the venue said it had recommended the businessman stay away from matches due to the “potential for demonstrations and anti-social behaviour by some spectators”.
Sullivan has previously been criticised by fans over his stewardship of the club, with thousands joining a protest last September calling for his departure.
West Ham declined to comment. It is understood the club plans to work with the stadium operator to facilitate Sullivan’s attendance at games.
Sullivan has not responded to a request for comment.
Meanwhile, presenter Tony Livesey left BBC Radio 5 Live on Monday after 16 years at the station, the BBC announced.
Livesey stepped back from his weekday late-night programme in June, following allegations made against Sullivan. He had previously served as editor-in-chief of Sullivan’s Daily and Sunday Sport publications.
One alleged victim claimed Livesey arranged a meeting between her and Sullivan in 1999.
Livesey said he had “no recollection” of introducing the woman to Sullivan and that it was “not part” of his job to do so.
He added that he had “great sympathy for a woman who may have become a victim”, but rejected any suggestion that he played “any role whatsoever in that scenario” and said he found the allegation “abhorrent”.