David Sullivan, a billionaire businessman and former joint-chairman of West Ham United, has resigned from his leadership positions following a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times into allegations of predatory behavior.

億萬富翁商人、西漢姆聯前聯席主席大衛·蘇利文，在 BBC Panorama 與《泰晤士報》針對掠奪性行為指控的聯合調查後，已辭去其領導職務。

The allegations, spanning several decades from the 1980s, originate from seven women who were aspiring glamour models seeking employment at Sullivan's Daily Sport and Sunday Sport publications. These individuals assert that Sullivan leveraged his institutional power to solicit sexual favors, including oral and penetrative sex, in exchange for professional advancement and guaranteed publication in his newspapers. Specific testimonies describe instances of coercion, the locking of doors to prevent egress, and the exploitation of vulnerable individuals, including those who were neurodivergent or had experienced prior trauma. One account details a 1999 encounter where the subject felt compelled to comply with sexual demands despite expressing non-consent.

這些指控橫跨了從 1980 年代起的數十年，源自於七名希望在蘇利文旗下的《Daily Sport》與《Sunday Sport》刊物尋找工作的準性感模特兒。這些人聲稱，蘇利文利用其權力索求性服務，包括口交與進入性行為，以換取職業晉升及確保能在其報紙上刊登。具體證詞描述了強迫、鎖門防止離開，以及剝削弱勢個體（包括神經多樣性或曾遭受創傷者）的情況。其中一份陳述詳細描述了 1999 年的一次經歷，當時當事人表示儘管表達了不贊同，仍感到被迫滿足性要求。

Historically, Sullivan's professional trajectory is rooted in the adult entertainment industry, where he amassed significant wealth through pornography and the publication of explicit imagery. This included the 'Countdown to 16' feature, which publicized the 16th birthdays of teenage girls with topless imagery—a practice that remained legal until 2004. Sullivan's legal history includes a 1982 conviction for profiting from the immoral earnings of prostitutes. Furthermore, he has admitted to paying for sex in the 1990s with an individual he believed to be 16 or 17 years old, an act that did not become illegal until 2003.

從歷史來看，蘇利文的職業軌跡植根於成人娛樂業，他透過色情產品與發布露骨圖像積累了巨額財富。這包括「Countdown to 16」專欄，該專欄刊登 16 歲少女的上身裸照以慶祝其生日——這種做法直到 2004 年前仍屬合法。蘇利文的法律記錄包括 1982 年因從妓女的不道德收益中獲利而被定罪。此外，他承認在 1990 年代與一名他認為 16 或 17 歲的個體進行付費性交易，而該行為直到 2003 年才被視為非法。

In response to these disclosures, Sullivan has categorically denied the claims, characterizing them as factually incorrect and defamatory. He has announced intentions to initiate libel proceedings against the BBC. While the Metropolitan Police are currently investigating a report concerning indecent images and sexual exploitation from the 1980s, Essex Police have previously concluded that there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges in other reviewed cases. The situation has prompted scrutiny from football authorities regarding the integrity of club ownership, particularly as Sullivan remains the largest shareholder of West Ham United despite his resignation from the board.

針對這些披露，蘇利文斷然否認相關指控，將其定性為事實錯誤且具毀謗性。他已宣布打算對 BBC 提起誹謗訴訟。雖然倫敦警察廳目前正調查一份關於 1980 年代猥褻圖像與性剝削的報告，但愛塞克斯警方先前結論認為，在其他審查過的案件中並無足夠證據提出刑事指控。此情況引起了足球管理當局對球會所有權誠信的審查，尤其是蘇利文在辭去董事會職務後，仍是西漢姆聯最大的股東。

David Sullivan has stepped down from his executive roles at West Ham United while maintaining his financial stake, as police investigations into historical allegations continue.

大衛·蘇利文已辭去其在西漢姆聯的行政職務，但仍維持其財務持股，而警方對早年指控的調查仍在進行中。