West Ham release statement as fresh row erupts with London Stadium owners
West Ham’s move to the London Stadium nine years ago has proven to be a bad decision, and there is now further controversy surrounding the ground.
The Hammers left the iconic Upton Park to move into their new ground in 2016, with the promise that it would lead to more investment on the pitch.
However, West Ham fans have been unhappy since, with the former 2012 Olympics Stadium not suitable for football in more ways than one, while performances on the pitch have also not been up to scratch recently.
West Ham’s owners David Sullivan and Karren Brady are far from popular among the fans, and with the London Stadium actually in public ownership, another row has now erupted.
West Ham row with London Stadium over Women’s games
Clubs across the Premier League have allowed their Women’s teams to use their main men’s ground on at least one occasion for a league game, allowing support for their sport to grow.
However, West Ham are the only ones who have not since 2019, and this is because of a dispute between the club and the stadium ownership committees.
As reported by the Daily Mail (July 20, page 77), West Ham and the London Stadium landlords have been unable to compromise on a fee to allow the West Ham Women’s team play league games there, and the club have now issued a statement in response.
“Securing another women’s game at the London Stadium is a key priority for West Ham United,” the statement read.
| Capacity | 62,500 |
| Year built | 2012 |
| Owner | GLA Holdings Limited |
“This can only happen with the dual commitment to the growth and sustainability for West Ham United Women, an approach supported in updated WSL guidance.
“West Ham strive for parity between the men’s and women’s teams wherever practically possible and as such are willing to invest the sums required to put a game on at the London Stadium.
“The barrier to progress is the excessive charges E20 are demanding to host West Ham United Women, significantly more than the comparative cost to stage men’s home games.
“The club remain hopeful of reaching a fair way forward for women’s football at the London Stadium.”
London Stadium causes further problems for West Ham
West Ham’s move to the London Stadium was controversial in itself, as a Premier League side moved to a taxpayer-funded ground without buying it outright.
For fans, the viewing experience at the ground is abysmal, with the seats much further from the pitch than at purpose-built football grounds.
Getting in and out of the stadium is often a chore, while prices inside have seen fans boycott concourse food and drink in the past.
The atmosphere on a week to week basis is one of apathy, and with all these additional logistical problems, West Ham clearly regret the move from the Boleyn Ground.
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