David Sullivan stepped down as joint chair of West Ham United with immediate effect. The UK government expressed concern about allegations that Sullivan engaged in inappropriate behaviour. The BBC and The Times reported accounts from seven women accusing Sullivan of inappropriate behaviour, with the alleged incidents dating to the 1980s and 1990s. The women said Sullivan pressured young or aspiring models in their late teens or early 20s. During that period, Sullivan owned the British tabloid newspapers the Daily Sport and the Sunday Sport. Sullivan described the allegations as false. According to the Guardian, Sullivan stated, 'I am absolutely not the person the media has decided to paint me as'. The UK government’s Department for Culture, Media and Sport said the allegations must be treated with the utmost seriousness and investigated by relevant authorities, with victims given support. David Sullivan remains the largest shareholder of West Ham United.