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The Reform UK leader at Portman Road [Reform UK]
Ipswich Town FC says it "remains apolitical" after facing backlash from supporters for allowing Nigel Farage to use its stadium for a media opportunity.
The Reform UK leader visited Portman Road on Monday, with the party sharing images across its social media platforms of Farage posing with a personalised shirt.
The club said the visit had not followed an official invitation, with the MP for Clacton having booked in a private stadium tour – an option it said was open to any member of the public.
The visit sparked a backlash and a fierce debate among fans, with one telling the BBC he was disappointed to see the club "used as a political football".
Pictures showed Farage posing with an Ipswich home shirt with his surname and the number 10 on the back.
There were photographs 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."
The BBC understands that Farage did not meet with any club officials on his visit other than stadium tour guides.
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Nigel Farage in the Ipswich Town dressing room [Reform UK]
In a statement, Ipswich Town 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 said: "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."
Daniel King, a supporter of the Tractor Boys for 40 years, told the BBC the club's response to the anger from some fans had been "limp".
He said: "It seems very problematic to me. It seems like the club has been blindsided, and I expected better from them.
"If you are a club that is promoting and priding itself on inclusivity then why welcome an approach from a divisive character like Farage?
"Clubs can issue nice statements about inclusivity, but this is a real test of it in practice.
"It's been a wonderful period of the pitch and the club has reconnected the town with its support base in a really positive way, but this is a big test of that."
A fellow Ipswich Town fan, who did not wish to be named, said: "I'm very disappointed. Football and politics shouldn't mix in general.
"It wouldn't matter to me if it was Reform or Green or Labour... it shouldn't be happening. [Politics] divides supporters. It's a bad move from the club."
The BBC has asked Ipswich Town to confirm whether it was made aware the politician would pose for photos with a personalised Tractor Boys home shirt and to confirm if the shirts were bought by Reform UK on the day of the visit.
The club has also been asked to comment on why Farage was able to pose with personalised shirts in the club's dressing room.
Reform UK has been approached for comment about the circumstances of the visit.
In a separate social media post, Ipswich's East Anglian rivals Norwich City appeared to mock the Tractor Boys by taking an opportunity to promote their own stadium tours, stating "terms and conditions will most definitely apply".
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