Football regulator contacts West Ham over 'serious allegations' against Sullivan

Warning: this story includes descriptions of alleged sexual misconduct and explicit language The Independent Football Regulator has contacted West Ham over "extremely serious allegations" raised about the club's co-owner David Sullivan and said it is seeking "urgent information" from him about his suitability for the role. Multiple women have accused the billionaire of abusing his power and preying on them for sex, in some cases when they were in their late teens. Sullivan has "categorically" denied the claims, uncovered by BBC Panorama and the Times. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer's spokesperson called the women's accounts "harrowing". The Metropolitan Police said it takes such allegations "extremely seriously" and "any information or evidence provided to police will be assessed and the appropriate enquiries carried out". The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said the "deeply concerning" allegations must be "treated with the utmost seriousness" and "investigated by the relevant authorities". The allegations span decades when Sullivan made a fortune from pornography, newspapers and football. All come from women who were in their late teens or early twenties and were y