Barry Hearn: Olympic Stadium "not fit for football"

Leyton Orient chairman Barry Hearn has said that the Olympic Stadium is "not fit for football". West Ham United and Tottenham Hotspur are currently locked in a battle as to who will occupy the stadium after the upcoming Olympic Games. Hearn's club are also part of that discussion and he said that he will fight any decision that threatens to put his club out of business. However, after viewing the ground, Hearn believes that it is an unsuitable venue for football matches. "The Olympic Stadium is not fit for football," said Hearn. "Someone has to say it. I've been there, I've had consultants [look at it], I want it because it's 750 yards away from our ground. "The fact is, though, when you look at the design, it's a magnificent athletics stadium but you can't play football there. "West Ham can do whatever West Ham want to do, I will object to having a major club right on my doorstep threatening to put me out of business. You must expect me to fight my corner." Hearn has been chairman of Leyton Orient since 1995.