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Ipswich Town FC is facing a backlash after Reform Party leader Nigel Farage staged a photo opportunity at its Portman Road stadium.
But the club is understood to have been unaware of the full extent of the event until social media posts emerged.
No official invitation was extended by Ipswich to Mr Farage for the Monday event, it is understood.
Portman Road Events, which manages private tours of the stadium, is understood to have taken a booking on behalf of Reform for Monday afternoon. However, the Championship club only became aware of what was involved later that day when posts appeared on the party’s official account.
Reform posted “Portman Road Awaits” on X on Monday evening, and Mr Farage followed up with a post on Tuesday morning.
He shared photos of him ‘signing’ for Ipswich and one of him holding up a number 10 Ipswich shirt.
“I’ve never been too bad on the right wing,” he wrote on his official X account.
The party subsequently made a photo of Mr Farage holding the shirt the banner on their official X account.
It came after Reform held a party rally at nearby Trinity Park.
The club has declined to comment.
However, some supporters have criticised them on X, with one describing it as “PR suicide for a family club”.
Nigel Farage posed with a ’10’ shirt at Portman Road (Nigel Farage/X)
Sources close to the party insisted that Mr Farage had been invited by representatives of the club.
Reform posted a further video of Mr Farage at Portman Road on Tuesday afternoon, where he thanked the club for a “lovely welcome”.
He said: “It’s a big end of the season for Ipswich, they’re really in contention to go back into the Premier League.
“Let’s hope they do, but if they don’t, I think there’s a chance here – I’ve had a chat with a few people on the manager’s job coming up next season and I’m definitely on the shortlist.
“The trouble is, there’s only one job I’m really after.”
The video then cut to the door of 10, Downing Street – the prime minister’s residence.