West Ham United Women were not informed of the restrictions placed on David Sullivan's interaction with the team. The Football Association opened an inquiry in 2023 after receiving a complaint, which was an allegation of sexual misconduct unrelated to football. David Sullivan, West Ham's largest shareholder, has faced restrictions on his contact with the women's team and their youth teams since 2023.
Why it matters for West Ham United Women
Sources close to the playing squad at West Ham's women's side have said the team are appalled by the allegations. The club has clear and robust safeguarding measures in place, measures that are independently assessed and audited on an annual basis.
A West Ham spokesperson said the club could not comment on individual cases. An FA spokesperson said: "We take all safeguarding allegations and concerns very seriously, and we investigate each case within our jurisdiction thoroughly."
| Year | Event |
|---|---|
| 2023 | Safeguarding investigation opened |
| 2023 | Restrictions placed on David Sullivan's interaction with the team |
West Ham finished 10th in this season's WSL, a division run independently by WSL Football since 2024.
