Former West Ham United co-chairman David Sullivan attended the club’s Carabao Cup match against Portsmouth despite advice that he should not attend home games at London Stadium. His presence matters because it came shortly after allegations of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour, which he denies, and raised concerns about possible supporter unrest.

Sullivan resigned as co-chairman in June but remains West Ham’s largest individual shareholder, with a 38.8% stake. A BBC Panorama and Times investigation found he had been barred from contact with the club’s women’s and youth teams for three years over safeguarding concerns; London Stadium recommended he stay away, though no disturbances were reported around kick-off.