Jim Ratcliffe immigration comments leave Man United hierarchy horrified

Club distance themselves from co-owner after he said Britain was ‘colonised by immigrants’, with statement saying United has ‘embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do'.

Manchester United have distanced themselves from their co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe with a club statement reaffirming their commitment to diversity and inclusion.

The strongly worded statement made no direct reference to Ratcliffe, but appeared 24 hours after he said that Britain had been “colonised by immigrants”.

It is understood that Ratcliffe’s language horrified many of the Old Trafford hierarchy, as well as many members of staff, some of whom are from the very background picked on by the United owner.

The United statement was the latest twist on a day of drama after Ratcliffe’s outburst. The billionaire tax exile apologised for his “choice of language” as it emerged that he could face possible FA action, with the governing body confirming it would be looking into the comments.

United added to the pressure with a club statement on Thursday afternoon.

“Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club. 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,” read the statement.

“Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign. They are reflected in our policies but also in our culture and are reinforced by our holding of the Premier League’s Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard.”

The 224-word statement concluded: “We will continue to represent our people, our city and our fans with purpose and pride.”

As a United director, Ratcliffe could yet face FA punishment as he comes under their jurisdiction as a “participant” in English football. The FA’s chief executive, Mark Bullingham, confirmed its legal department was looking into the controversial comments but made no further comment.

If the FA chooses to formally investigate the comments, it would be focused on Rule E3.1. Any confirmed breach of this rule for comments made during media interviews usually leads to a fine.

But United, themselves, acted after it emerged that senior figures involved in the multibillion-pound Old Trafford regeneration project were also horrified by Ratcliffe’s television interview on Wednesday.

Andy Burnham’s support in the project is vital but the mayor of Greater Manchester issued a withering statement that called on United’s billionaire co-owner to apologise and also included a thinly veiled attack on the Glazer family for spending “years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions”.

Sources have told The Times other individuals linked to the project are also offended by Ratcliffe’s remarks, given during an interview with Sky News. They regarded them as “unwelcome” when political support, both in Manchester and in central government, is vital to the delivery of a regeneration plan that includes the surrounding area as well as a state-of-the-art new stadium.

Sir Keir Starmer has also called Ratcliffe’s comments “offensive and wrong” and in a statement on X, Burnham made the point that a city like Manchester relies heavily on its migrant population across its public services and beyond.

“These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races and faiths have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions — including Manchester United FC,” he said.

“Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing, portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another. It is inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory and should be withdrawn.

“Footballers who have arrived from all over the world to play in Greater Manchester have enhanced the life of our city region, as have the many people working in Greater Manchester’s NHS and other essential services and industries.

“We appreciate their contribution as a city region famous for the warmth of our welcome.”

In a closing comment clearly aimed at the Glazer family, who remain majority shareholders at United, Mr Burnham then said: “If any criticism is needed, it should be directed towards those who have offered little contribution to our life here and have instead spent years siphoning wealth out of one of our proudest institutions.”

It was only last month that the Old Trafford Regeneration Mayoral Development Corporation was officially launched, with the plan to revive the 370-acre site with 15,000 new homes, including affordable ones, and create 48,000 new jobs locally as well as more than 90,000 nationally.

Burnham said he wanted to “bring a massive economic boost to Greater Manchester”, while Trafford council leader, Cllr Tom Ross, said: “Under these plans, Old Trafford will become one of the best places in the UK to live, work and visit — every day, not just on match days.”

Yet in his interview with Sky, Ratcliffe said: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.

“I mean, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants.”

He also quoted other data that has now been exposed as incorrect.

The justice minister Jake Richards cited Ratcliffe’s claim that the UK population had swelled by 12 million since 2020.

Talking to Times Radio, Richards said it was “hypocritical” for the billionaire to comment on migration, saying: “There’s also something that I find quite offensive, that this man who moved to Monaco to save £4billion in tax is now lecturing us about immigration.”

Football’s anti-discrimination campaign, Kick It Out, described Ratcliffe’s comments as “disgraceful and deeply divisive at a time when football does so much to bring communities together”.

The group added: “In addition to the inaccurate figures mentioned, it’s worth reminding him that Manchester United has a diverse fan base and plays in a city whose cultural history has been enriched by immigrants.

“This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe most fans will feel the same.”