A billboard promoting immigration has been erected near Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium, following controversial remarks by club co-owner Jim Ratcliffe. The billionaire industrialist recently stated that 'the UK is being colonised by immigrants', sparking widespread condemnation from politicians, supporters, and anti-racism groups.
The billboard, organised by the campaign group 'Migration. Making Britain Great', highlights the positive contributions of immigrants to British society, including in football. Nazek Ramadan, director of Migrant Voice, said: 'Immigration doesn’t undermine a country’s character; it enhances it. British culture, including football, is based on migration, on adapting and evolving to new ideas.'
Ratcliffe's comments have been referred to the Football Association for investigation. Simon Bird, a lifelong Manchester United fan and doctoral researcher at King’s College London, said Ratcliffe had 'brought the game into disrepute and sullied the club’s reputation'. He added that the remarks constituted 'a failure of moral leadership and a betrayal of the club’s proud and pivotal role in the anti-racism work of Kick It Out'.
Dr Arun Midha of Swansea noted that inflammatory language risks worsening staff shortages in healthcare and other vital sectors. 'The NHS, in particular, was built, and continues to function, because doctors, nurses and carers from abroad have filled chronic shortages,' he said.
