{
  "id": 311807,
  "title": "Sullivan attends West Ham game despite advice not to",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/sullivan-attends-west-ham-game-despite-advice-not-to-311807",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-08-08T14:23:56.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "BBC Sport Football",
    "slug": "bbc-sport-football",
    "url": "https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c07rx4r40ngo?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "David Sullivan, the former co-chairman of West Ham United, has made a point of attending a Carabao Cup match against Portsmouth, despite receiving advice not to. Sullivan's decision to attend the game, even as he had resigned from his position in June, came as the club faced allegations of sexual misconduct. Seven women had accused him of exploitative and predatory behavior, claims he vehemently denied. Following these allegations, West Ham found themselves in the opening round of the EFL Cup for the first time in 15 years, a feat achieved after their relegation from the Premier League last season.\n\nThe match against Portsmouth marked the club's first game since the allegations against Sullivan were made public. An investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times revealed that Sullivan had been barred from interacting with the club's women's and youth teams for the past three years due to safeguarding concerns. Despite his resignation and the recommendation from London Stadium to abstain, Sullivan remains the club's largest shareholder with a 38.8% stake. A spokesperson for the stadium informed BBC News that they had advised West Ham on Sullivan's attendance, citing concerns over potential fan unrest. However, there were no reports of any issues at the stadium before or after the match began.",
  "summary": "Former West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan attends their Carabao Cup match against Portsmouth despite being advised he should stay away.",
  "key_points": [
    "David Sullivan attended West Ham's Carabao Cup match against Portsmouth.",
    "Seven women accused him of sexual misconduct, which he denied.",
    "West Ham reached EFL Cup for first time in 15 years after relegation."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "BBC Sport",
        "title": "Sullivan attends West Ham game despite advice not to",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/08/sullivan-attends-west-ham-game-despite-advice-not-to",
        "published": "2026-08-08T14:23:56.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}