West Ham United's majority shareholder David Sullivan is expected to attend Saturday's Carabao Cup first-round match against Portsmouth at London Stadium, despite being advised to stay away from home fixtures by the stadium operator itself.

Sullivan, 77, resigned as co-chair of West Ham in June after a joint investigation by BBC Panorama and The Times reported that seven women had accused him of sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour. Sullivan has categorically denied the allegations. The match against Portsmouth will be West Ham's first since the accusations were made public.

London Stadium, where West Ham play their home games, told BBC News it had "recommended" to the club that Sullivan does not attend matches because of concerns about fan unrest. The venue has also asked for advance notice of any planned visits by Sullivan so it can put additional safety and operational measures in place. A spokesperson confirmed the guidance was driven by a "potential" risk of demonstrations, as reported by The Telegraph on 3 August.

The backdrop extends further. Sullivan has been banned from contact with West Ham's women's and youth teams for the past three years because of safeguarding concerns, after a historical allegation about his conduct was raised with the Football Association in 2023. Sullivan has previously said that allegation was false. London Stadium has said it was unaware of the safeguarding restrictions until the BBC's report.

For fans, the Sullivan situation overshadows what should be a fresh start. West Ham were relegated to the Championship last season — the second tier of English football — for the first time since 2011. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo and captain Jarrod Bowen have both committed their futures to the club, and supporters have responded in remarkable numbers. West Ham have sold 55,000 season tickets, and Saturday's attendance is anticipated to set a record for a Carabao Cup first-round tie. Tickets for the club's opening home matches start from £10.

The Fan Advisory Board and groups of supporters have contacted the club urging Sullivan to stay away so his presence does not become a distraction. The stadium's own guidance echoes those calls.

Away from the allegations, West Ham's ownership structure is in flux. Vanessa Gold backed out of a deal to sell part of her 25.1% stake to Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky and instead agreed to sell the entire holding to Amanda Staveley. Under the club's pre-emption rights — rules that give existing shareholders first option to buy when shares become available — Kretinsky could acquire Gold's shares, which would make him the largest single shareholder without triggering a clause that would force him to launch a full takeover. Kretinsky has already sold a small portion of his own stake, bringing him under 25%.

Sullivan retains a 38.8% stake in the club. He stepped down from his co-chair role but has not relinquished his shares.

Saturday's match kicks off at 3pm BST. It is West Ham's first competitive fixture of the 2026-27 campaign, and whatever happens on the pitch, the attendance and the atmosphere around Sullivan's expected presence will draw as much attention as the result.