Andrew Tate: Football club took £5k from alleged rapist's brother

A grassroots football club which accepted money from the brother of alleged rapist and human trafficker Andrew Tate has apologised.

Last week FC United of Wrexham thanked Tristan Tate on X, formerly known as Twitter for his £5,000 donation.

It returned the cash and apologised.

Mr Tate, who is facing trial in Romania with his brother on charges of human trafficking and forming a criminal gang to sexually exploit women, said he was "extremely disappointed".

Both brothers both deny the accusations against them.

The club sent the cash back after it was criticised for taking it.

FC United, which runs teams for grassroots football and a similar game called futsal, said it regularly asks for "retweets" from people with high profiles to raise funds. 

A spokesman said: "On Saturday (January 13) we received a large donation of £5,000 from Mr Tate which resulted in our sponsor pulling out of the club, many organisations locally condemning the club and people calling for the club to send the money back. 

"After seeking advice from club associates and organisational representatives we were advised to return the donation with immediate effect."

The club added that £5,000 was a substantial amount for a not-for-profit club which in some months does not break even. 

Last year it accepted a £1,600 donation from Ryan Reynolds, co-owner of the city's professional-level football club, Wrexham AFC.

Tristan Tate said in a podcast he had been messaged for funding by FC United of Wrexham 34 times. 

"I decided to chip in with £5,000 and hadn't thought about it since," he said.

"More kids are having their sport uniforms paid for, I'm happy."

After the money was handed back, Mr Tate accused the grassroots club of caving in to "public outcry" adding that he was "extremely disappointed". 

The club said: "We are sorry to all those affected and offended, sorry to Tristan for wasting his time".