West Ham co-owner David Sullivan went to the team's first game of the season on Saturday, ignoring advice from the stadium's owner to stay away following allegations of sexual misconduct.
Sullivan, 77, watched the Hammers beat Portsmouth 3-1 in the Carabao Cup, despite London Stadium officials urging him not to attend over safeguarding issues.
The billionaire businessman was accused of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour by seven women during a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times in June.
He has strongly denied all accusations and stood down as joint club chairman shortly before the investigation was broadcast, saying he wanted to focus on fighting what he called "factually incorrect and entirely false, decades-old allegations concerning my personal life".
Leaving his role after 16 years was "incredibly painful", he said.
Some West Ham supporters criticised his attendance, with one writing on X: "We need to make it known exactly how unacceptable these decisions are."
The post ended "#Sullivan Out."
Other people on X stressed that Sullivan was facing allegations and had not been charged or prosecuted.
London Stadium said on Tuesday that "given the potential for demonstrations and anti-social behaviour by some spectators, we have recommended to the club that he [Sullivan] does not attend.
"We have also requested advance notice of any planned attendance so that appropriate safety and operational measures can be put in place."
There were no reports of any unrest among fans before or after the game.
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Mr Sullivan, who made his fortune from owning pornographic magazines, sex shops and newspapers, took control of the club in 2010, alongside David Gold, who died in 2023.
West Ham begin their Championship campaign away to Burnley next Sunday.
Asked afterwards about Sullivan's presence, Hammers manager Nuno Espirito Santo said he and the squad "need to focus" on football, adding "the noise that comes from outside cannot distract us".
(c) Sky News 2026: David Sullivan ignores calls to stay away from West Ham match after allegations of sexual
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