Ipswich Mayor Mark Ashton has apologized to supporters following Nigel Farage’s visit to Portman Road this week.
Farage visited the Championship club on Monday and images of the UK Reform leader wearing a No.10 Ipswich shirt with his name on the back were used by the political party in social media.
A Reform Party campaign video featuring Farage was also filmed at Ipswich Stadium.
Farage’s visit sparked an angry response from some Ipswich supporters, with the club claiming it was apolitical and did not ‘support or endorse any individual party’.
In a statement on Friday night, Aston said he was ‘extremely upset’ at the ‘hurt’ of the Ipswich fan base and admitted ‘mistakes were made’.
Ashton said: “I am fully aware that this has been a very difficult week for all of us.
Your football fix
subwayJames Goldman’s Sports Chief delivers insightful analysis, transfer talk and his opinion on the week’s biggest stories straight to your inbox every week.
Register hereit’s an open target.
“The staff is hurting. Elements of the fan base are hurting. So are elements of our local community. It worries me beyond measure. I want to apologize unreservedly and say I’m sorry.
“I understand that supporters and elements of the community are angry. I also understand that there are a number of mistakes out there about what actually happened this week. And I also understand that we have lessons to learn. Because mistakes have been made which have caused harm and distress to parts of our local community.
“And as chairman of the club I take full responsibility for those mistakes. And full responsibility for making sure those lessons are learned and learned quickly.
“The full board of directors is now reviewing policy regarding how we engage with local politicians and political parties. We will decide how, if and when we do that moving forward. Because, again, lessons need to be learned.”
For more stories like this, check our sports page.
Follow Metro Sport for the latest news on
Facebook, Twitter AND Instagram.
MORE: Spain boss claims Arsenal’s ‘world class’ star is being overlooked in World Cup debate
MORE: Noni Madueke’s latest injury as the Arsenal winger picks up his knee after the England friendly
MORE: Thomas Tuchel hits back at England fans booing Arsenal defender Ben White
