By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X)
It has been revealed to Claret & Hugh this evening how former West Ham chairman David Sullivan was effectively forced to resign his executive position by the other board members.
As many will remember, Sullivan announced his resignation via a statement on the club’s official website the day before the controversial Panorama documentary into his private life and business practices at the Sunday Sport was aired.
But Claret & Hugh has discovered that the resignation wasn’t entirely Sullivan’s doing.
Board Moved To Protect West Ham
We’re told that the remaining shareholders, most notably Daniel Kretinsky, Vanessa Gold and Albert Tripp Smith, encouraged Sullivan to resign as chairman in order to protect the football club from the anticipated backlash from the joint BBC and Times investigation.
The move was seen as a necessary step to distance the club from what all involved expected would be a highly damaging story.
And subsequent events have perhaps justified those fears.
Football Regulator Now Involved
Following the airing of the documentary, the Independent Football Regulator became involved after safeguarding concerns were raised by reports which emerged a day later.
Those stories revealed that Sullivan had previously been subject to internal restrictions preventing him from attending women’s and youth team matches and training sessions.
The exact nature and progress of the IFR’s enquiries remain unknown.
What is clear, however, is that the remaining board members have been extremely keen to distance themselves from Sullivan and the controversy surrounding him.
Nothing More To Do With The Club
Claret & Hugh have been assured that David Sullivan has nothing further to do with the running of West Ham United at any level.
His influence inside the football club has effectively ended.
However, Sullivan still retains his 38.8% shareholding in West Ham United, which remains the biggest obstacle to Daniel Kretinsky’s ambition of taking full control.
And whilst Sullivan may no longer be chairman, the ownership battle behind the scenes is far from over.
And his kids ?