British Prime Minister Keir Starmer described Jim Ratcliffe’s comments that the country has been “colonized” by immigrants as “outrageous and wrong” and stressed that Manchester United The co-owner should apologize.
Ratcliffe faced criticism after an interview with Sky News on Wednesday in which the 73-year-old complained about the impact of “large numbers of immigrants” entering the country.
The comment drew a rebuke from Starmer and sparked outrage among many pro-United groups.
The Prime Minister posted on Twitter: “Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.”
Earlier in the day, Ratcliffe told Sky News: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge numbers of immigrants coming in.
“I mean, Britain has been colonized. It’s costing too much money. … Britain has been colonized by immigrants, isn’t it?”
The interview was strongly condemned by the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club (MUMSC) for containing “language often used in far-right narratives”.
A statement released by MUMSC said: “Manchester United is a global club built on diversity – with players, staff and supporters from every background, faith and ethnicity.
“The strength of our club and our country lies in that diversity. …
“We stand with all communities that reject racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms, and we call for leadership that unites rather than divides.”
The Manchester United Supporters Trust said: “The comments from the club’s senior leadership should make inclusion easier, not harder.”
Anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out said in a statement that Ratcliffe’s views had “no place” in English football.
It reads, “At a time when football is doing so much to bring communities together, Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments are outrageous and deeply divisive.”
“…This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe the majority of fans will feel the same way.”
