1 hour ago Two of West Ham's large shareholders person spoken retired against David Sullivan aft striking a woody that volition spot Daniel Kretinsky go the club's biggest shareholder.
Kretinsky and Vanessa Gold said they were "deeply concerned" aft allegations of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour were levelled against Sullivan by a associated BBC Panorama and Times investigation.
Kretinsky's involvement successful the nine volition emergence from 27% to 43%, exceeding Sullivan's 38.8%.
"Our thoughts spell retired to those women who person fought truthful hard to marque their voices heard," said Kretinsky and Gold successful a statement.
"Any maltreatment of powerfulness is abhorrent, and it takes large courageousness and determination to talk up against it."
Sullivan, 77, said helium "categorically" denies the claims, which span the play erstwhile helium made a luck from pornography, newspapers and football.
Kretinsky and Gold said the "full West Ham United Board was not notified astir these allegations against Sullivan until astir a period ago", but did not cognize the afloat details of the allegations until they were made nationalist connected Monday.
Sullivan has been banned from having interaction with the club's women's and younker teams for the past 3 years due to the fact that of safeguarding concerns.
Kretinsky and Gold said: "As communicated by West Ham, the Board representatives of shareholders different than David Sullivan were lone made alert this week of the safeguarding measures that person been successful spot since 2023."
West Ham are dealing with the fall-out from the probe astatine the aforesaid clip arsenic they are attempting to marque an contiguous instrumentality to the Premier League aft being relegated for the archetypal clip since 2012.
"As shareholders and directors of West Ham, our absorption is present firmly connected protecting the aboriginal of this shot club," said Kretinsky and Gold.
"As such, we person reached statement connected the cardinal presumption of a stock acquisition transaction betwixt the Gold household and 1890 Holdings, which, taxable to different shareholders' pre-emption rights and indispensable approvals, would marque 1890 Holdings (part of the broader radical EP) the largest shareholder successful West Ham with an astir 43% stake.
"As the largest shareholder, radical EP volition beryllium capable to supply the further financing the nine needs."
More to follow
English (US)·