Soccer
Nigel Farage says he has been invited to game by Sunderland director
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage says he has been offered a visit to a Sunderland home game at the Stadium of Light – and insists more clubs should want to talk to him about the Independent Football Regulator.
Earlier this week, Ipswich came in for criticism after Farage made a trip to the Sky Bet Championship club’s Portman Road stadium on Monday ahead of a rally at the town’s Trinity Park later the same day.
Farage posed for photos in the dressing room and media facilities as well as pitchside for stills and for a video, in which he thanked the Suffolk club for the “lovely welcome” he had received.
Ipswich chairman Mark Ashton on Friday apologised for any anguish caused by the Reform UK leader’s visit, revealing the club’s policy on engaging with politicians is being reviewed.
“This has been a very difficult week for all of us,” Ashton said in a video message on Ipswich’s website.
“The staff are hurting, elements of the fan base are hurting and so are elements of our local community. That upsets me immensely and for that, unreservedly, I want to say I’m sorry.
“We have lessons to learn because mistakes have been made which have caused harm and distress to parts of our local community and as the chairman I take full responsibility for those mistakes and full responsibility for making sure that those lessons are learned and learned quickly.”
Farage was in Sunderland to launch the party’s local election campaign – and revealed he hoped to be able to attend a match at the Stadium of Light soon.
“I am hoping to go to a home game there at some point before the end of the season,” Farage told ITV News.
“I have been talking to one of the directors and they would very much like to see me there for a home game. If I can make it, I will.”
It has been reported the invitation came from Sunderland director Juan Sartori.
Sunderland have been contacted for comment.
Farage believes other clubs should be open to dialogue over the decision to bring in a regulator for the English game, with the position independent from both the government and football authorities.
“Football clubs should want to talk to me,” Farage added.
“You know why? The government is about to bring in a football regulator and I think the last thing English football needs – given what a massive success the Premier League is – is a state-appointed regulator.
“It is a conversation I had at Ipswich the other day, I will have at Sunderland before very long and I want to speak to all the clubs about this.”
Farage added: “It is not about support. It is about a football club being open to leaders of national political parties.”
