Man United Co-Owner Jim Ratcliffe Apologises for ‘Colonised by Immigrants’ Remark

Billionaire businessman and co-owner of Manchester United, Jim Ratcliffe, has issued an apology after sparking widespread backlash for claiming the UK had been “colonised by immigrants,” while maintaining that the country needs an open and honest debate on immigration.

Ratcliffe, who is also chairman of Ineos, said he was sorry for “offending some people” with his choice of words but defended his broader argument for what he described as “controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.”

“I am sorry that my language caused offence in the UK and Europe and raised concerns, but it is important to raise the issue of immigration in a responsible and constructive way,” he said in a statement.

His comments drew sharp criticism from UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who described the remarks as “offensive and wrong,” as well as condemnation from fan groups and anti-racism organisations.

The controversy followed an interview with Sky News, in which Ratcliffe said: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in… The UK has been colonised by immigrants.”

He also incorrectly claimed that the UK population had increased by 12 million in five years. Official figures from the Office for National Statistics show the population rose by about 2.7 million, from 66.7 million to 69.4 million over that period.

Manchester United distanced itself from the remarks, saying the club “prides itself on being inclusive,” but did not directly comment on Ratcliffe’s statements.

The episode has reignited debate in the UK over immigration policy, political rhetoric, and the responsibilities of high-profile business and sports figures in public discourse.