AdminLondon Mayor Sadiq Khan has admitted that West Ham United’s Premier League survival could have a major financial impact on taxpayers if the club were to suffer relegation this season.
Speaking in an interview with the BBC, Khan revealed that City Hall could lose millions of pounds in annual revenue should the Hammers drop into the Championship.
The comments have sparked fresh debate around the financial agreement surrounding the London Stadium and West Ham’s tenancy at the venue.
The east London club moved into the stadium in 2016 after leaving Upton Park, with the deal heavily scrutinised over the years by both political figures and rival supporters.
Concerns over operating costs and public funding have regularly been raised, particularly during difficult periods on the pitch.
With West Ham fighting to preserve their Premier League status, Khan made it clear that relegation would not only hurt the football club but also have consequences for the capital financially.
“If West Ham are relegated, we, the taxpayers, we City Hall, could lose up to £2.5million a year.”
The Mayor then made a surprising appeal to football fans across London, suggesting even rival supporters should want the Hammers to stay up.
“So what I say to Londoners who don’t support Spurs is you should probably be cheering on West Ham, because the taxpayer will lose out if West Ham go down.”
West Ham now face enormous pressure in the closing weeks of the season as they attempt to avoid a financially damaging relegation.
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