Man United's Jim Ratcliffe Apologises After Getting Shamed For Immigration Remarks

Last Updated:February 12, 2026, 20:06 IST

Jim Ratcliffe apologised for saying the UK had been “colonised by immigrants” after backlash, admitting his “choice of language” caused offence.

Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe apologised on Thursday for his ‘choice of language’ after saying the ‘UK has been colonised by immigrants’ during a television interview.

The 73-year-old billionaire, founder and chairman of chemicals giant Ineos, had argued that ‘huge levels of immigration’ were harming the British economy. Following criticism of his remarks, Ratcliffe issued a statement saying: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern, but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.

“My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK."

Ratcliffe, who himself is technically an immigrant after shifting to Monaco, reportedly to save taxes, added that he intended to stress the need for governments to manage migration alongside investment in skills and industry to ensure long-term prosperity, and said it was ‘critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.’

The controversy stems from an interview with Sky News on Wednesday in which 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."

The remarks drew strong reactions, including from anti-racism organisation Kick It Out, which described the comments as ‘disgraceful and deeply divisive.’ The group also pointed out that Manchester United has a diverse fan base and is based in a city shaped by immigration.

Ratcliffe’s comments could also prompt scrutiny from the Football Association under rules relating to bringing the game into disrepute. During the same interview, Ratcliffe defended what he described as ‘unpopular’ decisions at Old Trafford, saying they were beginning to bear fruit amid United’s recent on-field resurgence.

However, he also cited incorrect population figures, claiming the UK’s population had risen from 58 million in 2020 to 70 million now. According to the Office for National Statistics, the UK population was around 67 million in mid-2020 and just under 70 million in mid-2024.

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