Keely Hodgkinson, Seb Coe Under Fire Over West Ham London Stadium Row: 'Football Comes First'

World Athletics President Seb Coe has been advised he ‘should have kept his mouth shut’ amid an escalating dispute with West Ham United concerning the London Stadium, with suggestions that quiet negotiations would have been more effective.

The conflict stems from London's potential bid to host the 2029 World Athletics Championships. Seb Coe has publicly warned that the bid is in jeopardy due to West Ham's refusal to vacate the stadium for a three-week period in September, which falls during the football season.

Despite receiving strong support from both the UK government and the Mayor of London, West Ham remains firm in its position.

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The club's contract for the stadium grants them priority for football matches during the season, meaning they are under no obligation to accommodate the athletics event.

The public nature of the disagreement has drawn comments from various figures, including Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson, who has voiced criticism of the situation.

Former Everton and Aston Villa chief executive Keith Wyness has weighed in on the controversy, stating that Coe and World Athletics have mishandled the negotiations and expressed sympathy for West Ham's stance.

Speaking to West Ham Zone, Wyness affirmed the club's contractual rights. "A contract is a contract, and I understand West Ham are in a very strong position," he said.

"If they decide to be helpful, then it should be in their interests. That’s the way business works. But it is prime football time in September."

Wyness also highlighted the potential sporting implications for the club, particularly given their recent struggles. "We know what West Ham are going through right now in terms of a potential relegation," he noted.

"A disruption to a football season can affect the club... playing so many away games at a crucial part at the start of the season. There are a lot of factors to be taken into account."

Continuing his support for the Premier League club, Wyness argued that Coe, who has experience in football governance with roles at Chelsea and Manchester United, should have pursued a more discreet approach.

"My sympathy here is actually with West Ham, and I think it’s been handled very badly by World Athletics," Wyness stated. "I think Seb Coe... just overplayed his hand. He just should have kept his mouth shut, to be honest, and tried to do this behind the scenes."

Wyness suggested that a private deal could have been brokered away from the media spotlight. "However distasteful they feel the West Ham situation is, they should have kept quiet and found somebody to broker a deal," he added.

"I’m on West Ham’s side on this one, and football comes first. That’s the contract, and that’s what they agreed."

He concluded by suggesting that the public pressure from World Athletics may only serve to strengthen West Ham's negotiating position. "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."