West Ham chairman hits out at journalists over stadium move

West Ham: Move to London Stadium has been criticised

West Ham: Move to London Stadium has been criticised

West Ham co-chairman David Sullivan has hit out at what he believes is the “negative campaigning” over the club’s move to the Olympic Stadium.

The Hammers left their Upton Park home at the end of last season to take up residence in Stratford – at their newly-branded London Stadium – but the move has been blighted by poor form and supporter unrest.

Slaven Bilic’s side have won just one Premier League game since the start of the season but, more worryingly, the club has been beset with off-field issues.

Five arrests were made following the 1-1 draw against Middlesbrough earlier this month, while there has been in-fighting between West Ham fans during recent matches, with sections of supporters also chanting derogatory chants about the new stadium.

Sullivan wrote on the club’s official website: “Despite our frustrating start to the season, the fans have been fantastic.

“I have to say I am getting increasingly fed up with the negative campaigning against the stadium by some sections of the media.

“I find it particularly galling when the journalists who are writing these skewed opinions have not even been to the stadium.

“To put it into perspective at the Middlesbrough game there were five arrests – ALL outside the stadium in the public park.

“It has not yet been confirmed which of these supporters are West Ham United fans.

“However, I fully accept that’s too many and we are in the process of identifying and banning these supporters in line with our zero tolerance policy.”

 

Sullivan on Chelsea clash

West Ham fans

Sullivan said he has had plenty of positive feedback on the new stadium, thanking the vast majority of supports who are “behaving impeccably and are really getting behind the team”.

West Ham’s next home games are against Sunderland in the Premier League on October 22 and against Chelsea in the EFL Cup four days later.

Sullivan added: “To limit any trouble the Chelsea game is only available to supporters with a previous buying history.

“This game is not on TV and if you have bought a ticket with us in the last five years I urge you to come along and support us.”