London mayor warns: West Ham relegation would cost taxpayers millions

West Ham has a 99-year agreement with the City of London. This stipulates that in the event of relegation the club only has to pay half of the annual rent of around 5 million euros (4.4 million pounds). Further commercial revenue from the stadium could decline.

West Ham on the verge of relegation

Before the last matchday of the Premier League, West Ham is in a relegation zone and is 18th in the table. two points behind the saving bank. In 17th place is city rivals Tottenham Hotspur, who still have two games in hand and, due to the significantly better goal difference, still need a point to be virtually certain of staying in the league. On Tuesday, Spurs will play at their other local rivals, Chelsea FC, who are in a form crisis.

According to Mayor Sadiq Khan, the looming funding gap in the London budget would have to be made up for by taxpayers, who already finance the stadium’s operating costs. This would mean an additional 2.8 million euros (2.5 million pounds) in costs.

“That’s why I say to Londoners who aren’t Spurs fans: you should probably keep your fingers crossed for West Ham,” Khan told the BBC. “Because the taxpayers would lose if West Ham were relegated.”

Mayor Khan criticizes predecessor Johnson

At the same time, the London mayor criticized his predecessor Boris Johnson. In 2012, he concluded “the worst possible deal,” said Khan. In order to prevent the stadium built for the Olympic Games from becoming empty, West Ham was offered a lucrative deal that critics say comes at the expense of taxpayers.

The club owners then sold the Boleyn Ground, also known as Upton Park, despite massive protests. The traditional stadium, where the Hammers played for over 100 years, has since been demolished to make way for housing.