West Ham: Daniel Kretinsky becomes majority shareholder as joint-statement issued for additional financing | OneFootball

The Czech billionaire will now own, approximately, a 43% stake in the Hammers

Daniel Kretinsky has become the majority shareholder at West Ham after reaching an agreement to purchase the Gold family shares.

This development follows on from David Sullivan, last week, stepping down from his position as West Ham Joint-Chair with immediate effect.

It was also confirmed that Sullivan had resigned as a director of both WH Holding Limited and West Ham United Football Club, having been made aware of the impending publication of serious historic allegations.

On Monday, the BBC and The Times reported the accounts of seven women who claimed Mr Sullivan engaged in sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour.

In a joint statement from Vanessa Gold and Daniel Kretinsky, representing the Gold family and 1890 Holdings, they have explained the next steps regarding the ownership of West Ham United.

A statement reads: “We were deeply concerned by the revelations made by The Times and Panorama this week and our thoughts go out to those women who have fought so hard to make their voices heard. Any abuse of power is abhorrent, and it takes great courage and determination to speak up against it.

“The full West Ham United Board was not notified about these allegations against David Sullivan until approximately a month ago, when he informed us that certain allegations against him may be published.

“However, the full details of the allegations, which Mr Sullivan denies, only became apparent when they were made public on Monday.

“In addition, as communicated by West Ham, the Board representatives of shareholders other than David Sullivan were only made aware this week of the safeguarding measures that have been in place since 2023.

The full West Ham United Board was not notified about these allegations against David Sullivan until approximately a month ago, when he informed us that certain allegations against him may be published

Vanessa Gold and Daniel Kretinsky

“As shareholders and directors of West Ham, our focus is now firmly on protecting the future of this football club. Our goal is to stabilise West Ham, retain as many of our key players as possible and, under the management of Nuno Espirito Santo, secure an immediate return to the Premier League.

“We are also committed to engaging with our fans and all business partners to build a stronger future for our Club. We have already taken concrete steps toward this goal.

“As such, we have reached agreement on the key terms of a share purchase transaction between the Gold family and 1890 Holdings, which, subject to other shareholders’ pre-emption rights and necessary approvals, would make 1890 Holdings (part of the broader group EP) the largest shareholder in West Ham with an approximately 43% stake.

“As the largest shareholder, group EP will be able to provide the additional financing the club needs.

“We expect to finalise this transaction in the next couple of weeks. Once the agreement is complete, group EP and the Gold family have also agreed to vote jointly on key matters and to support the strategy targeting an immediate return to the Premier League.

Nuno Espirito Santo and Daniel Kretinsky

London Standard

“Alongside Daniel Kretinsky and Vanessa Gold, the other shareholders namely Tripp Smith, Daniel Harris and Terry Brown are fully aligned on this strategy and stabilising the Club.

“We are taking these steps because West Ham needs to be truly united at this moment in its history. We believe that a strong coalition – of fans, players, management and the Board – is essential to securing the bright future this club deserves.

“We are absolutely committed to playing our part.”

In a statement announcing he was stepping down as chairman of West Ham, Mr Sullivan said: “The false allegations levelled against me have been sensationalised by the media.

“After a lifetime spent building businesses in the adult industry in which I have met thousands of women, it is sadly inevitable that a small number of improper conduct claims are being made against me.