Sir Jim Ratcliffe Faces Backlash Over 'Colonised' Immigration Comments
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the billionaire co-owner of Manchester United, has issued a qualified apology for claiming that Britain has been "colonised" by migrants. The Football Association has confirmed it will investigate whether his remarks have brought the game into disrepute, potentially leading to financial penalties.
Lukewarm Apology and Political Condemnation
In a statement released on Thursday, Ratcliffe said: "I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth." The Ineos founder made the original comments during an interview with Sky News at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where he stated: "The UK is being colonised. It's costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants."
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer immediately condemned the remarks as "offensive and wrong," while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham described them as "inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory." The prime minister's official spokesperson welcomed the apology but noted that "the prime minister believes in a Britain built for all, and that those comments were inflammatory and divisive."
Football Association Investigation Looms
The Football Association is examining whether Ratcliffe's comments violated FA Rule E3.1, which requires participants to "act in the best interests of the game" and not engage in behavior that brings football into disrepute. As a club co-owner, Ratcliffe is considered a participant under FA regulations. The association's guidance indicates that financial penalties are the most common sanction for inappropriate media comments.
Manchester United responded with a statement emphasizing the club's commitment to inclusivity: "We pride ourselves on being an inclusive and welcoming club that has embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. Our diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters reflect the history and heritage of Manchester; a city that anyone can call home."
Mixed Reactions to Apology
Reactions to Ratcliffe's apology have been mixed. Conservative peer and former transport secretary Mark Harper described it as "one of those terrible 'I'm sorry if I've offended anyone' apologies" that could have been "a little more generous." Minnie Rahman, CEO of refugee charity Praxis, called it "half-hearted" and accused Ratcliffe of using migrants as a scapegoat for economic problems.
Andy Burnham, who previously supported Ratcliffe's stadium regeneration plans for Manchester United, said the comments "go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood." He added that "footballers who have arrived from all over the world to play in Greater Manchester have enhanced the life of our city region."
Broader Context and Implications
Ratcliffe's comments come amid ongoing national debates about immigration policy and economic growth. The billionaire insisted his intention was "to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone." However, anti-discrimination football campaign group Kick It Out called the remarks "disgraceful and deeply divisive" and challenged Ratcliffe's claim that the UK population has grown by 12 million since 2020, which fact-checkers have found inaccurate.
Ratcliffe, who founded chemical giant Ineos in 1998 and became one of Britain's richest men, purchased a minority stake in Manchester United in late 2023, with his Ineos group subsequently taking control of football operations. The FA's investigation represents a significant test of how football authorities handle controversial political statements from club owners, particularly those touching on sensitive social issues like immigration.
