West Ham United’s joint-chair David Sullivan has stepped down from his position with immediate effect, the club said on Saturday.

“Mr Sullivan has also 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,” the club said in a statement.

Sullivan denies any illegal conduct and has taken the decision to step down in order to avoid disruption to the Club while he addresses the matter privately, the statement added.