Now Reading: West Ham co-owner attends cup tie despite advice to stay away
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West Ham co-owner attends cup tie despite advice to stay away
West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan attended the club's League Cup tie against Portsmouth on Saturday, ignoring a recommendation from the London Stadium landlord that he stay away. The 77-year-old businessman was…
The Story in Brief
West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan attended the club's League Cup tie against Portsmouth on Saturday, ignoring a recommendation from the London Stadium landlord that he stay away. The 77-year-old businessman was accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour by seven women in a joint investigation by the BBC and The Times, broadcast in June. Sullivan quit as joint chair before the broadcast, calling the allegations false, but remains the largest shareholder.
London Stadium said it had recommended non-attendance due to the potential for demonstrations and anti-social behaviour, not because it considered there an ongoing safeguarding risk. The club reported no unrest among fans during the match, which West Ham won 3-1. Sportstar reports that Sullivan, who built his fortune from pornographic magazines, attended despite the stadium's request for advance notice of any planned visit.
The Indian Opinion
The stadium's advice to Sullivan was based on possible fan trouble, not a finding of guilt, yet the lack of any protest at the match suggests the concern may have been overblown. Some will see his attendance as a defiant thumbing of the nose at scrutiny; others as a man entitled to be in public until a court says otherwise. The real test will come if more women come forward or if fan groups organise future demonstrations. Who, if anyone, will force the issue? Not the landlord, it seems.
Source: sportstar.thehindu.com
This story was synthesised by AI from the source linked above.
