Football Anti-Racism Group Condemns Manchester United Co-Owner Over Offensive Immigration Remarks

A prominent UK organisation focused on fighting discrimination in football strongly criticised comments made by Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe on Thursday, describing them as "disgraceful". Ratcliffe had claimed that the "UK has been colonised by immigrants".

The billionaire entrepreneur, who founded and leads the Ineos chemicals firm, expressed these views during a TV interview. He argued that high immigration numbers into the UK were damaging the economy.

"You cannot sustain an economy with nine million individuals claiming benefits alongside massive inflows of immigrants," stated Ratcliffe from his base in Monaco, speaking to Sky News in Britain.

"Essentially, the UK has been colonised. The expense is excessive," he continued. The 73 year old then reiterated: "The UK has truly been colonised by immigrants, has it not?"

Ratcliffe also referenced incorrect data, saying the UK population stood at 58 million in 2020 and had risen to 70 million now.

However, figures from the Office for National Statistics indicate the population was actually 67 million in mid-2020 and approaching 70 million by mid-2024.

Shortly afterwards, Prime Minister Keir Starmer called on Ratcliffe to issue an apology for the "offensive and incorrect" statements. Kick It Out, the UK initiative combating racism in football, issued a firm response on Thursday.

"Sir Jim Ratcliffe's remarks are shameful and promote division, especially when football works hard to unite communities," read a statement from Kick It Out provided to the Press Association in Britain.

"Beyond the wrong numbers cited, it is important to note that Manchester United enjoys a varied supporter community and competes in a city whose heritage has been enhanced by immigration.

"Such rhetoric and direction have no role in English football, and we expect the majority of supporters to agree."

Various Manchester United fan organisations voiced their disapproval of the statements, and Andy Burnham, the mayor of Greater Manchester, who has collaborated with Ratcliffe on proposals for a new club stadium, denounced the "provocative" words.

Burnham, seen as a potential future Labour Party figurehead, posted on X stating that advocating for limits on immigration was "one matter", but depicting newcomers to Britain "as an aggressive invading army is entirely different".

"It is factually incorrect, disrespectful, provocative, and ought to be retracted," he concluded.