Ipswich Town chairman, Mark Ashton, has issued an apology to supporters after Nigel Farage’s visit to Portman Road this week.
Farage visited the Championship club on Monday and pictures of the Reform UK leader holding up an Ipswich No.10 shirt together with his name on the back was utilized by the political party on social media.
A Reform party campaign video starring Farage was also filmed at Ipswich’s stadium.
Farage’s visit sparked an offended response from some Ipswich supporters, while the club claimed that it was apolitical and didn’t ‘support or endorse any individual party’.
In a press release on Friday night, Aston said he was ‘immensely upset’ for ‘hurting’ Ipswich’s fanbase and admitted ‘mistakes have been made’.
Ashton said: ‘I’m fully aware that this has been a really difficult week for all of us.
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‘The staff are hurting. Elements of the fanbase are hurting. So are elements of our area people. That upsets me immensely. Unreservedly, I need to apologise and say I’m sorry.
‘I understand that supporters and element of the community are offended. I also understand that there are plenty of mistruths on the market about what’s actually happened this week. And I also understand that we have now lessons to learn. Because mistakes have been made which have caused harm and distress to parts of our area people.
‘And because the chairman of the club I take full responsibility for those mistakes. And full responsibility for ensuring that those lessons are learned and learned quickly.
‘The complete board of directors at the moment are reviewing the policy regards how we engage with local politicians and political parties. We’ll resolve how, if and after we try this moving forward. Because, again, lessons must be learned.’
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