Manchester United Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe Sparks Fury with 'Colonised by Immigrants' Remark
Manchester United fans have launched a scathing attack on Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the club's minority owner claimed the United Kingdom has been 'colonised by immigrants'. Protest group The '58 branded the 73-year-old billionaire 'a total embarrassment' and disputed his assertions that unpopular decisions at Old Trafford are yielding positive results.
Ratcliffe's Controversial Comments at European Industry Summit
Speaking at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, the Ineos billionaire told Sky News: 'You can't have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. I mean, the UK has been colonized by immigrants, really, hasn't it? It's costing too much money.'
Ratcliffe suggested that Prime Minister Keir Starmer is too nice to address tough issues and revealed he has met with Reform leader Nigel Farage, describing him as 'an intelligent man' with 'good intentions'. The businessman drew parallels between his experience at Manchester United and national politics, stating: 'I've seen quite a bit of this at the football club. If you do difficult things, which we felt that we had to do at Manchester United... we felt like they were the right things to do. But you do become very unpopular for a while.'
Fan Groups Deliver Stinging Rebuke
The '58 issued a comprehensive statement on Wednesday night condemning Ratcliffe's comments and challenging his claims of improving the club through restructuring that has cost hundreds of jobs, changes to ticketing policy, and plans for a new £2 billion stadium to replace Old Trafford.
The group highlighted several key criticisms:
- Ratcliffe's decision to comment on UK issues while living tax-free in Monaco
- Questionable football decisions including managerial appointments
- Increasingly draconian measures for season-ticket holders
- Rising matchday ticket prices pricing out loyal fans
- Pushing for a new stadium unwanted by most match-going supporters
'If he cannot see the reasons why he's unpopular then he is completely deluded; completely out-of-touch with the core fanbase that made our club what it is today,' the statement concluded.
Manchester United Muslim Supporters' Club Raises Serious Concerns
The Manchester United Muslim Supporters' Club issued a strongly-worded statement expressing deep concern about Ratcliffe's choice of language and his reference to Farage. The group warned that such rhetoric risks legitimising prejudice and deepening social divisions.
'The term 'colonised' is not neutral,' their statement read. 'It echoes language frequently used in far-right narratives that frame migrants as invaders and demographic threats. Such rhetoric has real-world consequences. The UK has experienced sustained increases in hate crimes in recent years.'
The supporters' club emphasized Manchester United's diversity as a strength, stating: 'Manchester United is a global club built on diversity – on players, staff and supporters from every background, faith and ethnicity. The strength of our club and of our country lies in that diversity.'
Political Response and Calls for Apology
Prime Minister Keir Starmer responded directly to Ratcliffe's comments, calling for an immediate apology. 'Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise,' Starmer wrote on social media platform X.
The controversy comes as Ratcliffe continues to implement significant changes at Manchester United, with fan groups increasingly vocal about their dissatisfaction with both his football decisions and his public statements on sensitive political matters.
