Southampton fan Rishi Sunak watched his team get relegated from the Premier League after a loss to Fulham sealed their fate.
The prime minister was in the stands on Saturday at St Mary’s Stadium as he watched the Saints suffer a devastating blow, confirming their place in the Championship next season after 11 years in the top division.
southampton lost 2-0 at home to the Cottagers, who had an impressive season by contrast.
Mr Sunak ditched his usual formal attire for a more casual hoodie and jeans, but Fulham fans still spotted him and chanted: “Rishi, Rishi, what’s the score?”
Meanwhile, Fulham themselves showed no sympathy towards the prime minister as the club tweeted: “Sorry, the only Prime Minister we recognize is Hugh Grant.”
Mr Sunak, born and raised in the port city, has previously shown his support for the Saints and once said if he was not a politician, he would have liked to run the club.
When he was 18, he said he received a card signed by the Southampton team, which became “one of his most prized possessions”, according to a biography of the UK leader.
Meanwhile, his dad, Yashvir Sunak, reportedly owned a season ticket for the Saints.
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In 2020, Rishi Sunak, who represents the Yorkshire seat of Richmond as an MP, proudly tweeted a screenshot of Southampton briefly at the top of the Premier League table, saying it had “taken 32 years but [was] worth the wait” and was hoping “it lasts”.
Southampton now only have pride to play for in their final two fixtures this season against Brighton and Liverpool.
