U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer criticized comments made by Jim Ratcliffe, who stated that the country has been “colonized” by immigrants, calling them “offensive and wrong.” Starmer demanded that the Manchester United co-owner offer an apology.
Ratcliffe faced significant backlash after an interview with Sky News where the 73-year-old expressed concerns about the effects of “huge levels of immigrants” entering the U.K.
The Prime Minister’s remarks fueled outrage among various supporter groups of Manchester United. He tweeted: “Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant, and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologize.”
Earlier that day, Ratcliffe stated on Sky News: “You can’t have an economy with 9 million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. I mean, the UK has been colonized. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonized by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?”
The Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club (MUMSC) condemned Ratcliffe’s comments, noting that such language often echoes far-right rhetoric. In a statement, they said, “Manchester United is a global club built on diversity — embracing players, staff, and supporters from every background, faith, and ethnicity. The strength of our club, and our country, lies in that diversity. We stand with all communities that reject racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and hatred in all its forms, and we advocate for leadership that fosters unity instead of division.”
The Manchester United Supporters Trust added, “Comments from the club’s senior leadership should facilitate inclusion, not hinder it.”
Furthermore, the anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out expressed that there was “no place” for Ratcliffe’s views in English football. They stated, “Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments are disgraceful and deeply divisive at a time when football does so much to bring communities together. This type of language and leadership is unacceptable in English football, and we believe that the majority of fans would agree.”