Arabic version: ديفيد سوليفان يحضر مباراة لوست هام رغم النصيحة

According to BBC News, former West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan attended the club’s Carabao Cup match against Portsmouth at London Stadium despite advice that he should stay away from home games.

Sullivan resigned as West Ham co-chair in June after seven women accused him of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour. He categorically denies the allegations.

A joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times found 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 remains the club’s largest single shareholder, holding a 38.8% stake.

A London Stadium spokesperson told BBC News on Monday that it had “recommended” to West Ham that Sullivan should not attend because of concerns about fan unrest. There did not appear to be problems inside the stadium before or shortly after kick-off.

The Portsmouth fixture was West Ham’s first match since the allegations were reported. The club are playing in the opening round of the EFL Cup for the first time in 15 years following last season’s relegation from the Premier League.