A 3-1 defeat to Newcastle on Sunday left West Ham on the brink of relegation from the Premier League
London taxpayers may have to pay an extra £2.5m ifWest Hamare relegated from the Premier League this season. because of the club's lease agreement for London Stadium.
The Hammers are 18th in the table with one match remaining,. will be as good as relegated to the Championship ifTottenham- two points above them with a game in hand and a much better goal difference - draw withChelseaon Tuesday.
Under the 99-year lease agreement,West Hamwould pay the Greater London Authority about half their current annual rent of £4.4m if they are relegated.
London taxpayers, who currently contribute to stadium operating costs such as stewarding, will have to make up the funding gap.
"IfWest Hamare relegated. we, the taxpayers, we City Hall, could lose up to £2.5m a year," said Mayor of London Sadiq Khan.
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West Ham on the brink
"So what I say to Londoners who don't support Spurs is you should probably be cheering onWest Ham. because the taxpayer will lose out ifWest Hamgo down."
Khan blamed predecessor Boris Johnson for agreeing "the worst deal imaginable" in 2012.
Commercial revenues from London Stadium are expected to fall ifWest Hamplay in the Championship. while stewarding costs over 23 home games would be greater than 19 Premier League home matches.
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