EFL respond to Millwall request over David Sullivan ahead of West Ham clash

Millwall have reportedly contacted the EFL to find out whether former West Ham chairman and current shareholder David Sullivan is planning to attend Saturday’s Dockers Derby at The Den.

West Ham will make the short trip across London to face their fierce rivals for the first time in more than 14 years. The fixture has been a rare one in recent decades, with the two clubs meeting only 11 times since the end of the 1980s.

The Hammers have won just three of those matches, although two of those victories have come in their last three meetings. Their most recent encounter came in February 2012, when Carlton Cole and Winston Reid scored in a 2-1 West Ham victory.

The upcoming clash has attracted plenty of attention, particularly with changes taking place behind the scenes at West Ham. Daniel Kretinsky has become the club’s largest shareholder, while Sullivan has also increased his stake despite stepping away from his former responsibilities.

EFL respond to Millwall’s question over Sullivan

Sullivan remains a shareholder and has continued to attend West Ham matches at the London Stadium despite no longer holding his previous position at the club.

However, according to a report from The Athletic, Millwall have asked the EFL whether Sullivan would be present at The Den for the derby.

It is understood that the 77-year-old is not expected to attend the match in Bermondsey.

Sullivan has continued attending West Ham’s home fixtures, but the London Stadium, where the club plays its matches, has reportedly asked him to stay away from the venue.

Sullivan’s previous comments on the Millwall rivalry

Despite his long association with West Ham, Sullivan has rarely spoken publicly about the rivalry with Millwall, largely because the two clubs have faced each other so infrequently in recent years.

The fixture has previously been overshadowed by serious crowd trouble. The 2009 meeting at Upton Park was followed by violent disorder, during which a Millwall supporter was fatally stabbed.

Ahead of another meeting at The Den in 2011, Sullivan urged West Ham supporters to avoid trouble and reminded them that they represented the club wherever they went.

With the rivalry returning after such a lengthy absence, attention will once again be on supporter behaviour.

Given the history between the two clubs, significant policing and security measures are expected around Saturday’s match to prevent a repeat of the disorder that marred previous meetings.