The comments made by Jim Ratcliffe need calling out for what they are, just plain, simple racism, and no, I won’t call him sir.
Recently, in an interview about Britain with Sky News, Jim Ratcliffe claimed, “You can’t have an economy with 9 million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” he said. “I mean, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing too much money … The UK has been colonised by immigrants.”
So was Ratcliffe correct with his numbers? Well, here’s what Jim Pickard, deputy political editor of the Financial Times, posted. You can make your own mind up, or check them here at the ONS. So was Ratcliffe misinformed, or deliberately misinforming to suit his own, seemingly racist agenda?
He then said that the UK would need to make “difficult” decisions like his Ineos period had done at Manchester United.
So if you are not aware, those difficult decisions include mass redundancies, raised match-day ticket prices to £66, with no concessions for pensioners or children, United failing to play any European football for only the second time since 1990 and finishing 15th in the Premier League, their lowest ever position just 2 places above relegation. Hardly something to brag about. Or perhaps the state of United reflects the state of the nation, which seems to be on a downward spiral, with much of this to do with Brexit, did I mention Ratcliffe was a major Brexit supporter and soon after quit the UK as the 3rd highest individual UK taxpayer to move to Monaco. What a patriot.
Racism in football
I’m old enough to remember the likes of John Barnes routinely faced endless racist abuse from the terraces. Indeed Barnes once famously back-heeled a banana that had been thrown onto the pitch in the late 1980s! We became more and more progressive until sometime around the Brexit vote and since then, I, along with many, have witnessed the UK slide into a cesspit where being openly racist is now acceptable to many. But for a significant shareholder in my beloved Manchester United (27.7%) to come out with such racist hatred is an insult to those at the grassroots level who have spent years trying to kick racism out of football, and United fans like myself, an insult to our club, which has had just about every human race playing for it.
Barnes was interviewed on Good Morning Britain, and interestingly, he said, “Now, the ‘colonised’ bit is the thing that I have an issue with, because of course, by no stretch of the imagination can we interpret what’s happening with immigration as colonisation.” Barnes continued to explain exactly what this term means: “Colonisation is when a settler community from a different country comes to our country and dominates and exploits economically and politically and controls the system.”
“I agree with (Ratcliffe) on some points about immigration, and we can have that discussion, but as far as the colonisation part goes, that is completely wrong. For Nigel Farage to come and say…. that by the interpretation in the dictionary, he agrees with him about England being colonised or Great Britain being colonised: No.”
Barnes then finishes with a dictionary explanation that Ratcliffe and Farage might be wise to return to school and learn.
“The interpretation in the dictionary, the meaning in the dictionary, actually states that it’s the domination, exploitation, and control of an indigenous population by foreign entities, which is not happening here.
“Of course, immigration brings lots of good, and of course, when he talks about illegal immigration, that has to be addressed…. I agree with him on that.
“The only thing I have an issue with was the word ‘colonised’. That is the only thing about this whole debate, because we have to have a meaningful discussion on immigration, as to whether it’s good or it’s bad.”
Perhaps Barnes is right we do need a dialogue, but we don’t need it led by white men who are appearing only one level above the cesspit of racism like Farage and Ratcliffe, men who can set off race riots at the click of a finger – sorry Jim I don’t mean you.
What the politicians say
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer described the comments as “Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country.” And said that Ratcliffe should apologise.
Meanwhile, back in Manchester, Mayor Andy Burnham who has worked closely with Ratcliffe on our new stadium described: “These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races, faiths and none have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions, including Manchester United.” And said that Ratcliffe should withdraw them.
Not surprisingly, Farage defended Ratcliffe and described him as a “refugee of the British tax system” and obviously, he feels no reason to check facts and said his comments on immigration were “correct”
What the club say
Soon after Ratcliffe apologised for “offending some people”, note he didn’t apologise for what he said or that he used incorrect data to support his claims, Manchester United issued a statement that it “prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club” and that “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.
What the fans say
On X, the Manchester United Supporters Trust released the following statement :
Manchester United belongs to all of its supporters. No fan should feel excluded from following or supporting the club because of their race, religion, nationality or background. Comments from the club’s senior leadership should make inclusion easier, not harder.
Ratcliffe’s comments prompted Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club (MUMSC) to issue a statement on X (formerly Twitter). It read: “We are deeply concerned by remarks describing the UK as having been ‘colonised’ by immigrants, and by positive references to political figures whose rhetoric on immigration and minority communities has long been divisive.
“The term ‘colonised’ is not neutral. It echoes the 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, including rises in Islamophobia, anti-Semitism, racially motivated attacks and hostility toward migrants and people of colour.
“Public discourse shapes public behaviour. When influential figures adopt language that mirrors extremist talking points, it risks legitimising prejudice and deepening division.”
Chair of the MUFC Local Supporters’ Club (branch for fans who live within a two-mile radius of Old Trafford, Carly Lyes, told Manchester Evening News:
“It just seems to go completely against everything that the club has always stood for. We’ve always had a history of Irish immigrant railway workers helping to set up the club. (formed in 1878 as Newton Heath LYR Football Club by workers from the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway depot at Newton Heath)
“We’ve had Manchester immigrant families involved, we’ve had players from all over the world, it seems to be a constant for everything that Manchester and Manchester United stand for.”
And to echo this sentiment, this billboard beautifully popped up right outside Old Trafford.
Finally a reality check for Jim
Should someone remind Ratcliffe that he is also an immigrant, having moved to Monaco for tax reasons, namely, avoiding paying as little or no tax in the UK. What a proud patriot he is. I am ashamed he owns a single share in Manchester United who has brought shame on our club.
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