Middlesbrough supporters directed chants at Prime Minister Keir Starmer in Trafalgar Square on Friday evening, branding him a “w—–” as thousands descended upon central London.
The gathering preceded Saturday’s Championship play-off final, which has become mired in controversy following the ‘spygate’ affair.
Fans scaled Nelson’s Column whilst igniting flares as the offensive song rang out, set to the melody of The White Stripes’ Seven Nation Army.
The scene transformed the iconic London landmark into a sea of red and smoke as Boro faithful celebrated their unexpected return to Wembley contention.
Middlesbrough fans have descended on London in their thousands
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Officers clashed with supporters as pyrotechnics were deployed in the streets surrounding the square.
Skirmishes erupted when police moved to break up the assembled crowds, with confrontations occurring as authorities sought to restore order.
The Metropolitan Police faced a challenging evening as they attempted to manage the boisterous gathering, which had swelled throughout the early hours of Friday night.
Tensions ran high as officers worked to disperse fans who had congregated in significant numbers, with the use of flares and other pyrotechnics prompting intervention.
The disorder marked an inauspicious start to what promises to be a momentous weekend for the Teesside club.
Southampton’s ‘spygate’ scandal has gripped the Championship | GETTY
Middlesbrough’s presence in Saturday’s showpiece fixture came about through extraordinary circumstances, with the club only learning of their reinstatement on Tuesday.
Southampton were removed from the play-offs after admitting they had spied on Boro’s training sessions, a clear breach of EFL regulations.
The Saints had initially prevailed 2-1 on aggregate in the semi-final tie before their transgression came to light.
Following the rejection of their appeal this week, Southampton issued a statement expressing contrition: “We know how painful this moment will be for our supporters, players, staff, commercial partners and the wider community who have given so much backing to the team throughout the season and we apologise once again to everyone impacted by this.”
This is not the first occasion on which football supporters have targeted the Prime Minister with abusive chanting.
Keir Starmer has often found himself as the target of derogatory chants from football fans
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During last year’s World Cup qualifier against Andorra, held in Barcelona, England fans subjected Starmer to similar treatment.
Approximately 7,000 travelling supporters made their voices heard with crude songs about the Labour leader as the match remained goalless.
The chants, performed to the tune of KC & The Sunshine Band’s Give It Up, branded Starmer a “c—” in explicit terms.
Supporters also sang “Keir Starmer, is a w—-r, is a w—-r” during that fixture, demonstrating a pattern of hostility from football crowds towards the Prime Minister.
