Key Facts

• Sport newspapers featured a "Countdown to 16" where girls were shown in lingerie or bikinis before turning 16, and topless after their birthday.
• Former victims’ commissioner Vera Baird said these images acted as "bait for predatory men."
• Seven women accused Sullivan of sexual misconduct and pressuring them for sex when they sought work.
• Sullivan denies the allegations and says claims of improper conduct are “inevitable” given his adult industry background.
• The newspapers operated legally at the time by only showing topless images after models turned 16, but laws have since tightened to 18 for indecent images.
• Sullivan resigned as director and co-chair of West Ham but remains the club’s largest shareholder with a 38.8% stake.
• The new football regulator (IFR) is investigating Sullivan’s suitability as a club owner and may force him to sell his shares.
• Former UK minister Alex Davies-Jones questioned Sullivan’s role in football due to his past business practices.