The transaction is expected to ‌be finalised in the next couple of ‌weeks. | Photo Credit: REUTERS

Czech billionaire Daniel Kretinsky on Saturday increased his stake in West Ham United ​to around 43%, becoming the club’s largest shareholder, following ‌the resignation of co-chairman David Sullivan amid ​allegations of misconduct.

1890 Holdings, which is ⁠part of Kretinsky’s EP Group, raised its stake from 27 percent, which it first acquired in November 2021, after striking ‌a deal with West Ham’s joint-chair Vanessa Gold.

The transaction is expected to ‌be finalised in the next couple of ‌weeks. ⁠Sullivan resigned with immediate effect last week ⁠after the BBC, through its investigative documentary series BBC Panorama, and the Times newspaper published a joint investigation into ​his behaviour, accusing him “of ‌sexually exploitative and predatory behaviour” towards women “going back decades”. Sullivan has denied the allegations.

Kretinsky and Gold said in a joint statement published by ‌the club that they were “deeply concerned” by ​the revelations from the investigation done by the Times and Panorama.

“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,” the club said.

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The ownership shake-up comes at a turbulent moment for the east London club, which was relegated from the Premier League on the final day ‌of last season, and will play in the second-tier ​Championship for the first time since the 2011-12 season. West Ham has retained manager ⁠Nuno Espirito Santo despite the drop.

“Our goal is to ⁠stabilise West Ham United, retain as many of our key players as possible and, ‌under the management of Nuno Espírito Santo, secure an immediate return to the Premier League”, ​the statement read.

Published on Jun 13, 2026