news-engine

By Kris Gonzo | Senior West Ham Columnist (Follow on X) According to a Mail Online report, former West Ham chairman David Sullivan still intends to attend Saturday’s Carabao Cup tie against Portsmouth despite concerns being raised about his safety and advice that he should stay away from the London Stadium. Similar details have also been reported elsewhere, with Sullivan said to be determined to attend despite recommendations against doing so. The reports suggest additional security arrangements may be required if Sullivan is present, with fears his appearance could provoke unrest among supporters. However, London Stadium’s operators have reportedly said they do not consider him to pose an ongoing safeguarding risk. I Think This Has Been Overplayed Personally, I think the safety fears have been massively exaggerated. For the life of me, I can’t understand why Sullivan would want to attend in the first place, but I also don’t believe he is under any genuine physical threat. Will he receive plenty of abuse? Almost certainly. Will there be songs reminding him exactly what supporters think of him? Without doubt. But let’s be honest, that was happening when he was chairman. Most West Ham fans are simply relieved that he is no longer running the football club. The celebrations won’t truly be complete until he eventually sells his remaining shareholding, but that’s a separate issue. Sullivan may attend with Ampika? An Act Of Defiance? Claret & Hugh was informed that Sullivan was effectively persuaded to step down from his executive role following the Panorama investigation into his private life. That makes this whole episode even stranger. The current board don’t appear to want him around. The vast majority of Hammers supporters certainly don’t. So why insist on going? Perhaps it’s simply habit after so many years of watching West Ham. To me, though, it feels more like an act of defiance. Sullivan clearly doesn’t want to be bullied into staying away, but I can’t help thinking this is a drama of his own making. Equally, by insisting on attending when he knows the reaction his presence will generate, there is a degree of antagonism from his side too. Do I think anything will kick off against Portsmouth? No. Not at all. The most revealing part of this whole story is that, once again, David Sullivan has somehow managed to make the focus about David Sullivan rather than West Ham’s first home game of a hugely important season.