Manchester United have publicly asserted their commitment to being an “inclusive and welcoming” club after co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe sparked widespread condemnation with his comments about immigration. In a statement that did not name Ratcliffe directly but clearly referenced his claims that the UK is being “colonised” by immigrants, the club affirmed its dedication to “equality, diversity and inclusion” and described Manchester as “a city that anyone can call home”.
The Football Association is looking into whether Ratcliffe’s remarks brought the game into disrepute. He issued a heavily qualified apology on Thursday, saying he was sorry that his “choice of language has offended some people”. In an interview with Sky News, Ratcliffe had said: “The UK is being colonised by immigrants, really, isn’t it?” He also cited incorrect figures about the UK’s population.
Anti-discrimination groups condemned the comments. Show Racism the Red Card said such language “echoes narratives that have historically been used to stigmatise migrant communities”. Kick It Out described the words as “disgraceful and deeply divisive”. The Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club stated that the club’s strength lies in diversity and called for “leadership that unites rather than divides”.
Ratcliffe, who bought a minority stake in United in 2023, has drawn fierce criticism from fans over his handling of the club. The supporters’ group 1958 criticised his decision to comment on UK issues while living in Monaco to avoid paying tax. The club are currently fourth in the Premier League under interim head coach Michael Carrick after the failure of Ruben Amorim’s management.
