Non-executive director recused from David Sullivan inquiry over West Ham links

A nonexecutive director of the Independent Football Regulator will not be involved in the inquiry into allegations of sexual misconduct against David Sullivan to avoid a conflict of interest over her links to West Ham.

Tara Warren was an executive director of West Ham United and the club’s women’s team before joining the football regulator.

Sullivan announced his resignation as a director and co-chair of West Ham last Saturday, before the publication of a joint investigation in which seven women accused him of abusing his power and preying on them for sex, in claims that date back to the 1980s and 1990s.

However, the 77-year-old remains the club’s largest shareholder, with a 38.8% stake, and the regulator is seeking clarity around the situation before launching a potential investigation. English football’s regulatory body has called the allegations “extremely serious” and has been given statutory powers to force a club owner to divest their shares should they be deemed unsuitable.

Sullivan has faced restrictions on his contact with West Ham’s women and youth teams since 2023 because of a safeguarding investigation by the Football Association. He has described the restriction as “meaningless and did not amount to a ban” and that he accepted it “for a quiet life”.

West Ham issued a statement on Thursday saying that the safeguarding measures followed the club’s safeguarding policy, as agreed with the FA and the local authority. The club added that “only a very limited number of West Ham United employees were informed of these measures”. The Guardian reported this week that the women’s team were now aware of the restrictions imposed on Sullivan.

Warren, who left the club last December, was appointed as a director of the women’s team in February 2023. She joined West Ham as a marketing director in 2009 and became an executive director in 2014. Warren was a close ally of Karren Brady, who stepped down as West Ham’s vice-chair in April.

Lisa Nandy, the culture secretary, appointed Warren as one of five non-executive directors of the regulator in February. The Guardian asked the Independent Football Regulator and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport about a potential conflict of interest and if Warren’s previous links with West Ham would see her recused from any investigation into Sullivan.

A spokesperson for the regulator said: “The IFR has robust policies and processes in place to ensure any interests that may conflict with the responsibilities of board members are known and managed accordingly. Where a board member does have a conflict or perceived conflict of interest, they will be recused from any decision making role relating to the matter.”

Warren denies being aware of the allegations made against Sullivan before their publication this week. Through his lawyers, Sullivan has denied the allegations against him.

Sullivan is believed to be open to selling his stake. Daniel Kretinsky, West Ham’s second largest shareholder, is interested in taking a majority stake. The Czech billionaire could do so by buying the Gold family’s 25% stake.