David Sullivan Attends West Ham's Carabao Cup Match Despite Advice

David Sullivan returned to London Stadium on Tuesday night, taking his seat for West Ham United’s Carabao Cup tie against Portsmouth despite being advised to stay away from home matches.

The former co-chairman, who resigned in June after seven women accused him of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour – allegations he categorically denies – was back in the stands for the club’s first competitive game since the claims became public.

His presence came against a fraught backdrop. A joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times revealed that Sullivan has been banned from contact with West Ham’s women’s and youth teams for the past three years because of safeguarding concerns. He may no longer be co-chairman, but he remains deeply embedded in the club’s power structure as its largest single shareholder, holding a 38.8% stake.

That influence framed the tension around his return. On Monday, a London Stadium spokesperson said the venue had “recommended” to West Ham that Sullivan should not attend, citing concerns over potential fan unrest. The club’s relegation from the Premier League last season, which dropped them into the opening round of the EFL Cup for the first time in 15 years, has only sharpened scrutiny on those who have shaped its recent direction.

Yet when the turnstiles clicked and the floodlights came up for the meeting with Portsmouth, any anticipated flashpoint failed to materialise. Inside the ground, before kick-off and in the early stages of the match, there were no obvious signs of trouble linked to Sullivan’s attendance.

The questions around his role at West Ham, though, will not fade as quietly as this particular night.