Gary Lineker has become the latest prominent figure to publicly criticise Sir Jim Ratcliffe following the billionaire's contentious interview with Sky News. The former England footballer and broadcaster has launched a scathing attack on Ratcliffe's remarks, labelling them as deeply hypocritical and concerning.
Ratcliffe's Controversial Comments Spark Widespread Backlash
Sir Jim Ratcliffe, the 73-year-old co-owner of Manchester United, faced immediate criticism after suggesting during his Sky News interview that Britain has been 'colonised' by immigrants who are draining state resources. The businessman, who resides in Monaco, also made inaccurate claims about the UK population, stating it had grown from 58 million to 70 million, whereas official Office for National Statistics figures show the population was approximately 67 million in mid-2020 and reached 70 million in mid-2024.
Political Figures Join the Criticism
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has called for Ratcliffe to apologise for his comments, while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham has also expressed disapproval. Various Manchester United supporters' groups have similarly voiced their disappointment with their club's co-owner, creating a significant public relations challenge for the billionaire.
Lineker's Blunt Assessment on 'The Rest is Football' Podcast
Speaking candidly on his popular podcast, Lineker did not hold back in his assessment of Ratcliffe's position. "The hypocrisy I find difficult," Lineker stated. "Obviously, Keir Starmer has called for him to make an apology; whether he will or not remains to be seen."
The broadcaster continued with a pointed critique of Ratcliffe's personal circumstances: "I watched it and the hypocrisy really - the guy's a migrant himself, an economic migrant because he lives in Monaco. You can have a gripe all you like, but at least be here, pay taxes, and contribute to our society."
Questioning the Double Standard
Lineker highlighted what he perceives as a significant double standard in Ratcliffe's position, noting: "I would say a lot of these migrants who come in contribute enormously and facts show you that in terms of revenue and paid tax. Whereas Jim out there, in Monaco, is doing everything he can to avoid paying tax, I would suggest."
The former footballer also raised questions about racial dimensions of the comments, asking: "Also, you're one of the owners of Manchester United, a club that has a lot of players from overseas. When he's talking about colonised with immigrants, is it OK that you're a white person living abroad, not a brown or black person? I don't know, only he can answer that question."
Football Community Reaction
Lineker revealed that many of his Manchester United-supporting friends have expressed similar concerns about Ratcliffe's comments. He specifically referenced the story of Amad Diallo, the Ivorian winger who joined Manchester United, as an example of positive immigration within football.
"Lots and lots of my friends who support United have come on and said similar things to what I'm saying now, they're very disappointed," Lineker explained. "Look at the story of how Amad has ended up here. So I find it deeply concerning that an owner of a football club can say that sort of thing."
Ratcliffe's Partial Apology
Following the widespread criticism, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has offered a partial apology for his remarks, though the response has been viewed by many as insufficient. The controversy continues to develop as more public figures weigh in on the billionaire's comments about immigration and their implications for both British society and the football community.
The situation represents a significant challenge for Manchester United's ownership group, particularly as they seek to maintain positive relationships with the club's diverse global fanbase and playing squad. Lineker's comments add substantial weight to the growing chorus of disapproval directed at Ratcliffe's controversial statements.
