The FA is looking into newly promoted Ipswich Town FC’s manager after he was caught on tape apparently singing a crude song about TV chef Delia Smith.
Mark Ashton, 54, the club’s chairman and CEO, is accused of leading Blue supporters in a song that referred to much-loved chef Delia Smith, 84, as a fg ae.
It occurred during celebrations last Saturday (May 2) at the Isaacs on the Quay pub in Ipswich, Suffolk. , following their triumph against QPR clinched their promotion to the Premier League.
Phone video showed him on a rooftop terrace with Captain Dara O’Shea, allegedly singing the song to hundreds of fans. Town fans have been singing the song for many years.
Delia was a previous majority stakeholder of local rivals Norwich City, but she sold her stake in 2024 and became an honorary life president.
Since their initial match in 1902, Ipswich Town and Norwich City have been bitter rivals, with the match now known as the East Anglian derby.
The FA has stated that it is looking into Mr Ashton’s actions. However, a representative stated that they had nothing further to contribute right now.
The investigation is thought to focus on whether Mr Ashton violated the FA’s Rule E3. 1, which reads: A participant must always act in the game’s best interests and shall not engage in any action that is illegal or casts the game into disgrace, nor shall they use violent behavior, serious foul play, intimidation, abuse, obscenity, or insulting language or behavior.
Possible penalties include suspension, fines, and mandated FA training courses.
If two or more members of the same club violate the same rule within 12 months, the club may face penalties, such as point reductions.
Mr. Ashton’s songs have already garnered condemnation online.
Iwan Roberts, a former Canaries striker, termed the event an outrage.
He wrote on X: I enjoy a good rivalry and some joking, but I believe the Ipswich CEO needs to reconsider his position. The CEO’s remarks about Delia are unacceptable.
He feels that he has let himself and the club down. She’s old enough to be his grandmother. Mr Ashton was not the sole Ipswich personality to offer remarks regarding Norwich during the club’s second-place party.
Marcelino Nunez, who moved to the Tractor Boys from the Canaries at the start of the season, was caught on video shouting: Fk off, Norwich, come on Tractor Boys.
Earlier this year, Mr. Ashton was attacked by his own fans after inviting Nigel Farage on a tour of Portman Road, which the Reform leader recorded as a political campaign video.
The video shows Mr Farage signing an Ipswich jersey and writing “To Mark” on it.
The club first denied that the politician had been invited.
Mr. Ashton subsequently issued a humiliating public apology, admitting that he had made errors that had caused injury and discomfort to personnel, the fanbase, and the local community.
