David Sullivan has been a West Ham fan since his family moved to Essex when he was a child. West Ham United co-owner David Sullivan has stepped down from his position as joint chairman and director of the club with immediate effect "having been made aware of the impending publication of serious historic allegations".

Sullivan has denied any "illegal conduct" and the Hammers say he is leaving "in order to avoid disruption to the club while he addresses the matter privately". Sullivan has been the club's largest single shareholder since the death of his business partner David Gold in January 2023, which left him with a 38.8% stake.

Sullivan and Gold became joint chairmen of West Ham when they completed their takeover of the club in January 2010. "It is understood none of the allegations relate to West Ham United or any of its operations," said West Ham.

The club added: "Interim chief executive officer Karim Virani, reporting into the current board of directors, will continue to be responsible for leading the club's day-to-day operations. The club will provide an update on the future structure of the board of directors in due course, but will make no further comment at this time."

The Hammers were relegated from the Premier League at the end of the 2025-26 season after finishing 18th. Sullivan and Gold had previously been co-owners of Birmingham City from 1993 to 2009. They oversaw West Ham's move from Upton Park to London Stadium in 2016 and their Conference League win in 2023 - the Hammers' first major trophy since the 1980 FA Cup.

The club's best Premier League finish during their tenure was sixth in 2021, but the Hammers have finished in the bottom half in three of the past four seasons and their 14-year spell in the top flight came to an end last month. West Ham fans have held protests on numerous occasions during the 2025-26 season, calling for Sullivan and Baroness Brady to step down. Brady left her role as vice-chair on 15 April.

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