Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe apologises for controversial comments about immigration

Billionaire businessman and minority owner of Manchester United, Jim Ratcliffe, has apologised following controversial remarks about immigration made during an interview at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp.

As reported by BBC Sport, Ratcliffe said in a statement issued Thursday that he was sorry his choice of language had “offended some people” in the UK and Europe, while insisting that open discussion about the country’s challenges remains necessary.

His comments on Wednesday in a Sky News interview triggered widespread backlash. He said:
“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 colonised. It’s costing too much money.

“The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?”

He also relied on incorrect figures to support his argument.

The remarks drew criticism from senior political and civic leaders. Prime Minister Keir Starmer described them as “offensive and wrong” and urged Ratcliffe to apologise.

Andy Burnham, Mayor of Manchester, also condemned the comments, saying they “go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood.”

The Manchester United Supporters Trust criticised Ratcliffe’s remarks, stating that comments from the club’s senior leadership should encourage inclusion rather than undermine it.

In his Thursday statement, Ratcliffe said he had been discussing UK policy and the need for economic growth, jobs, skills, and manufacturing.

He explained that his intention was to emphasise that migration must be managed alongside investment in skills and industry so that prosperity is shared widely.

He added: “We must maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.”