Ipswich Town boss ‘probed by FA’ over X-rated chant about TV cook dinner Delia Smith
The boss of newly-promoted Ipswich Town FC is being probed by the FA after he was filmed aiming an X-rated chant TV chef Delia Smith
Mark Ashton is being probed by the FA(Image: Nigel French/PA Wire)
The boss of newly-promoted Ipswich Town FC is being probed by the FA after he was filmed allegedly singing a vulgar chant about TV cook Delia Smith.
Mark Ashton, 54, who is the club’s chairman and CEO, is accused of leading Blue’s fans in a song which described much-loved chef Delia Smith, 84, as a “f*****g a******e”.
It came during celebrations last Saturday (May 2) at the Isaacs on the Quay pub in Ipswich, Suffolk., after their victory over QPR confirmed their return to the Premier League.
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Phone footage captured him on a rooftop terrace alongside Captain Dara O’Shea allegedly singing the chant to hundreds of fans below – the song has been sung by Town supporters for several years.
Delia is a former majority shareholder of local rivals Norwich City majority but sold her stake in 2024, before becoming an honorary life president.
Ipswich Town and Norwich City have been fierce rivals since their first meeting in 1902, which has since become known as the East Anglian derby.
The FA have since confirmed that it was investigating Mr Ashton for his actions. Though a spokesperson said they have “nothing further to add” at this moment in time.
The probe is believed to centre on whether Mr Ashton breached the FA’s rule E3.1, which states: “A participant shall at all times act in the best interests of the game and shall not act in any manner which is improper or brings the game into disrepute or use any one, or a combination of, violent conduct, serious foul play, threatening, abusive, indecent or insulting words or behaviour.”
Possible punishments are understood to include suspensions, fines and compulsory FA education courses.
When two or more members of the same club are found to have breached the same rule within 12 months, the club itself can face sanctions, including points deductions.
Mr Ashton’s chants have already prompted criticism online. Iwan Roberts, the former Canaries striker, described the incident as a “disgrace”.
He wrote on X: “Love a rivalry and a bit of banter, but think the Ipswich CEO really needs to have a look at himself. The CEO singing what he did about Delia is a disgrace.
“Just think he’s let himself and the club down. She’s old enough to be his nan.” Mr Ashton was not the only Ipswich figures with something to say about Norwich during the celebrations for the club’s second place finish.
Marcelino Nunez, who joined the Tractor Boys from the Canaries at the beginning of the season, was filmed shouting: “F**k off, Norwich, come on Tractor Boys.”
Mr Ashton found himself under attack from his own fans earlier this year after inviting Nigel Farage for a tour of Portman Road, which the Reform leader filmed as a political campaign video. The video shows Mr Farage signing an Ipswich shirt, writing “To Mark” on it.
The club initially denied the politician had been invited. Mr Ashton later made a humiliating public apology, saying he had made mistakes which had caused “harm and distress” to staff and parts of the fanbase and local community.
On the club’s official website, Mr Ashton, who joined the Suffolk club from Bristol City where he was CEO, is described as “passionate about community work” and “show[ing] passion and devotion to the Club’s charitable arm, Ipswich Town Foundation” as well as regularly taking part in club community work.
Delia Smith sold her stake to a group led by US businessman Mark Attanasio. Though she remains a regular visitor to Carrow Road.
In 2023, her car was attacked by Ipswich fans while heading to Portman Road for an East Anglian derby. Ipswich Town and Mark Ashton have been approached from a comment.
