West Ham joint chairman David Sullivan faces fresh scrutiny after Essex Police opened a probe into allegations uncovered by a BBC Panorama investigation. The report names multiple women who accuse Sullivan of predatory behaviour dating back to the 1980s. Sullivan has denied every claim.

The Football Association and Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy convened urgent fact‑finding meetings to review how the club and the FA handled the safeguarding concerns that led to a three‑year restriction on Sullivan’s contact with women’s and youth teams. The restriction, unseen by the public, allowed Sullivan to attend first‑team matches.

Sullivan, 77, resigned as joint chair last week, citing a need to defend himself against what he calls “factually incorrect” allegations. West Ham insists its safeguarding protocols are robust, while sponsor Boyle Sports expressed alarm that it was not informed of the restrictions. No charges have yet been filed.

The saga exposes gaps in football’s safeguarding oversight and raises questions about how clubs respond to serious allegations against senior figures. The outcome will shape West Ham’s governance and the FA’s regulatory framework.