Simon Jordan slams 'ridiculous' Ipswich Town decision | OneFootball

Ipswich Town received a lot of backlash for Nigel Farage's visit to Portman Road this week

Ipswich Town found themselves at the centre of a political controversy on Tuesday morning when photos of Nigel Farage’s visit to Portman Road were posted on social media.

The Reform party leader posed with a picture of a jersey with his name and the no. 10 branded on the back.

The 61-year-old also posted a satirical photo of him signing for the club in what was reportedly a 30 minute tour of the stadium.

It has been reported that a private booking was made through Portman Road Events, rather than through the club itself.

The club have received a lot of criticism for the incident, and it has raised questions over whether or not the Suffolk outfit were aware of his visit prior to his arrival.

Ipswich are competing for promotion back to the Premier League this season, with the team just two points behind second place Middlesbrough, and with a game in hand.

Simon Jordan raises major Ipswich Town concern for Mark Ashton

Simon Jordan believes that Farage being allowed to go around with a camera and use the stadium for commercial purposes will anger the club’s CEO Mark Ashton.

He’s suggested that the chief executive will be concerned with the lack of due diligence by the tour guide company, and that the 61-year-old should not have been allowed to use the club in that way.

“The fact is they’ve gone around with a camera, that to me seems to be ridiculous,” said Jordan, via Talksport.

“And Mark Ashton and the Ipswich Town guys have got to say ‘well hang on a second, they’ve booked a tour, why would we not have the diligence and the presence and the wherewithal to stop people from filming and doing what they were doing?’

“So, that to me concerns me.

“But the fact of the matter is, in no way are Ipswich aligning themselves with Reform and it’s confected outrage.”

It remains to be seen whether this incident will have any impact on the Ipswich first team squad, although it’s been reported that players were unhappy with Farage’s visit.

Members of Kieran McKenna’s side believe that sections of Portman Road are sacrosanct, and that the Reform party leader should not have been allowed access to these areas.

This could have a negative impact on the team amid their push for promotion to the Premier League.

The Suffolk outfit are aiming to go straight back up to the top flight after suffering relegation 12 months ago.

The club are currently third in the Championship table, with league leaders Coventry City 11 points ahead, meaning the teams below are all likely in contention for the second automatic promotion spot.

The gap to second place Middlesbrough is currently just two points, and the Tractor Boys have a game in hand on their rivals.

Next up for Ipswich is a home clash against Birmingham City on 6 April in a 3pm kick-off.

Better communication needed at Ipswich

If Ipswich were truly blindsided by this incident, then it is clear that the lines of communication at the club need to be improved.

The backlash from Farage’s visit is not what the team needs as they push for promotion to the Premier League.

Supporters have voiced their concerns, and this is the kind of move that could sour the atmosphere going into a crucial part of the campaign.

Millwall and Middlesbrough will certainly be hoping that it has a negative impact on McKenna’s squad, although the gap between games could ease those fears, with the side not back in action for almost two weeks.