Club insists it is apolitical after Farage visit

The Reform UK leader at Portman Road [Reform UK] Ipswich Town FC says it is an apolitical club after a visit by Nigel Farage that led to a backlash from some of its supporters. The Reform UK leader visited the club's Portman Road stadium on Monday, with Farage posing for the camera with personalised shirts. The Clacton MP told reporters he had "received an invitation from Ipswich, who knew I was in the area" – but earlier the club had said the visit "had not followed an official invitation".

The episode sparked a fierce debate among fans, with one telling the BBC he was disappointed to see the club "used as a political football". Pictures shared by Reform on social media showed Farage posing with an Ipswich home shirt with his surname and the number 10 on the back. The photographs were taken both at pitchside and in the home dressing room, where the players' shirts were removed and replaced by Farage's.

In a social media post afterwards, Farage said: "I've never been too bad on the right wing. " Nigel Farage in the Ipswich Town dressing room [Reform UK] The Tractor Boys earlier said Farage had booked a private stadium tour – an option it said was open to any member of the public. In a statement, it said it had "hosted representatives from a range of political parties" over several years and "does not support or endorse any individual or party".

It added: "The club will continue to engage with representatives from across the political spectrum as part of its role within the community. "Ipswich Town is proud to be an inclusive, diverse and welcoming organisation that supports all members of the local and wider community. This commitment remains unchanged.