Hammers chief angered by Tottenham interest

West Ham co-owner David Sullivan believes there would be riots in east London if bitter rivals Spurs moved into the Olympic Stadium after the 2012 Games.

Both the clubs have submitted bids to occupy the Stratford stadium and the chairman feels that trouble could arise should Tottenham move into their east London heartland.

“It would be such a slap in the face to east London. If it happens, there will be real problems that could easily lead to civil unrest,” he snarled in a national newspaper

“I think there could be riots, such is the ill feeling between West Ham and Spurs and I know the police feel the same.”

Before this week it seemed that the Hammers would be the only football club interested in taking over the venue, before Spurs announced that they and entertainment group AEG were launching a joint bid.

Tottenham are bitter rivals to West Ham and infuriated Sullivan last season when they pipped the Hammers to signing Eidur Gudjohnsen, while the east London club were also unhappy about Spurs’ continued interest in star midfielder Scott Parker.

“I feel very let down by Tottenham. The way they do business is not right,” he moaned.

“They pinched Eidur Gudjohnsen off us after we brought him from Barcelona for talks. He just disappeared from the hotel. And the way they unsettled Scott Parker was appalling.

“Now they want to move into our borough of Newham. How would they like it if we suddenly set up a new home in Haringey. I’m flabbergasted by the cheek of it.”

The London 2012 Legacy Company are likely to be equally displeased with the north London club, who would ditch the running track.

This is despite a key factor in London getting the games was that the athletics facilities would remain after 2012.

This does not seem to concern Spurs or AEG president Tim Leiweke. “We want the venue to be perfect for football for the next 30 years, rather than the odd athletics meeting,” he said.

“Tottenham are a good fit whose supporters can fill a 60,000 stadium, while it would be a bit of a miracle if West Ham are in the top five of the Premier League.”