Credit: Imago/Breaking Media

Mark Smith

Fri 3 April 2026 7:40, UK

Seb Coe has been told that he overplayed his hand as World Athletics continues its feud with West Ham United over the London Stadium.

Coe has warned that London’s bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships could be over already with West Ham’s refusal to vacate their stadium for three weeks in September.

Despite strong backing from the government and the mayor, West Ham are refusing to budge.

The Irons do have a contractual right that their games take priority during the footballing season, so they don’t have to do anything they’re asked in this situation.

Despite that, the likes of Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson have not been afraid to take digs, regardless of the London Stadium admin involved.

Seb Coe told West Ham’s position in latest controversy

Keith Wyness insists that the whole situation has been handled badly by Coe and World Athletics, with sympathy extended to the Hammers.

Speaking exclusively to West Ham Zone, the former Everton and Aston Villa chief executive admitted that he supported the Irons in this dispute.

“I actually understand, look, a contract is a contract, and I understand West Ham are in a very strong position, and if they decide to be helpful, then it should be in their interests,” Wyness started.

“That’s the position, that’s the way business works. But it is prime football time in September.

“Now, we know what West Ham are going through right now in terms of a potential relegation. So we also know how a disruption to a football season can affect the club as well.

“So they’re also going to be mindful and genuine about the impact on a season that could mean playing, you know, so many away games, a crucial part at the start of the season.

“So there are a lot of factors to be taken into account.”

West Ham backed by industry expert in London Stadium feud

Wyness would go on to further back the Hammers, saying that Coe, who does have football experience at Chelsea and Man United, should have tried to do things away from the media.

“But my sympathy here is actually with West Ham, and I think it’s been handled very badly by World Athletics,” he continued.

“And I think Seb Coe, who has been on the board of Chelsea and is now on the Man United board of this new stadium project, I think he just overplayed his hand.

“He just should have kept his mouth shut, to be honest, and tried to do this behind the scenes.

“However, distasteful they feel the West Ham situation is. They should have kept quiet and found somebody to broker a deal, and there could have been people to have done this, I’m sure.

“So that’s my take on it, and I think that I’m on West Ham’s side on this one, and football should come first. That’s the contract, and that’s what they agreed.

“So let’s see how it all pans out, but hopefully there’ll be, know, all that’s happening right now is that West Ham’s price is going up. That’s how I see it, and so good luck to them.

Regardless of West Ham standing firm and Coe, backed by athletes, continuing to speak out, this certainly isn’t the last we have heard about this.