David Sullivan banned from contact with West Ham women's and youth teams since 2023

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. David Sullivan banned from contact with West Ham women's and youth teams since 2023 6 minutes ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleBilly KenberInvestigations correspondentPA MediaWest Ham co-owner David Sullivan has been banned from having contact with the club's women's and youth teams for the last three years because of safeguarding concerns. The Football Association opened a safeguarding investigation in 2023 after receiving allegations about the conduct of Sullivan, the co-owner and then the co-chair, of West Ham United. In response, a safeguarding group made up of the club, the FA and the local authority decided to prevent Sullivan from having access to his own club's youth and women's teams, the has learned.

He has also been prevented from attending their matches, with the ban remaining in place to the present day. Sullivan has not respond to a request for comment, but has previously said he denies allegations of wrongdoing. West Ham co-owner accused of preying on women for sexWho is David Sullivan - football boss, 'king of porn' and alleged sexual predator?

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Sullivan steps down at West Ham in wake of allegationsThe restrictions were not made public and Sullivan remained a prominent figure in the club, regularly appearing in the director's box for the men's team games at the London Stadium. He remains the club's largest shareholder, although he resigned as co-chair and a director of West Ham on Saturday ahead of the and Times investigation, in which multiple women accused the billionaire businessman of abusing his power and preying on them for sex. Denying the allegations, he said he wanted to focus on fighting what he called "factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life", describing the investigation as "fundamentally unfair".

West Ham and the Football Association both said they have robust safeguarding measures but cannot comment on individual cases. PA MediaThe allegations span decades when Sullivan made a fortune from pornography, newspapers and football. All come from women who were in their late teens or early twenties and were young models seeking work at Sullivan's Daily and Sunday Sport newspapers.

The and Times investigation also revealed that eight women, including one who was part of the investigation, have gone to the police with disclosures about Sullivan's conduct. None of those cases have resulted in charges. The Metropolitan Police said it takes such allegations "extremely seriously" and "any information or evidence provided to police will be assessed and the appropriate enquiries carried out".

The Independent Football Regulator said it contacted West Ham over "extremely serious allegations" raised about Sullivan and said it was seeking "urgent information" from him about his suitability for the role. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's spokesperson called the women's accounts "harrowing".

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.