Arabic version: دانيال كريتينسكي يستعد ليصبح أكبر مساهم في وست هام

West Ham’s co-chair Daniel Kretinsky is poised to become the club’s largest shareholder, increasing his stake from 27% to 43%. This shift comes after a deal was reached with Vanessa Gold, another major shareholder, who expressed concerns regarding allegations of sexually exploitative behavior against David Sullivan, the current co-chair.

According to BBC News, Kretinsky and Gold stated they were “deeply concerned” by the serious allegations revealed in a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times. Sullivan has denied these claims, which span the period when he made a fortune from pornography, newspapers and football.

The investigation has raised significant issues within the club, particularly as Sullivan has been banned from any contact with West Ham’s women’s and youth teams for the last three years due to safeguarding concerns. Kretinsky and Gold noted that the full West Ham United Board was not notified about these allegations until approximately a month ago.

As the club navigates this challenging situation, Kretinsky and Gold emphasized their commitment to protecting West Ham’s future. They have reached an agreement on the key terms of a share purchase transaction that would position Kretinsky’s group as the largest shareholder, enabling them to provide necessary financing for the club’s operations.

West Ham is currently addressing the fallout from the investigation while also striving for a swift return to the Premier League following their relegation, marking the first time since 2012 that they have faced such a setback.