Speaking to Sky News about the state of politics in Britain, the United co-owner said: « If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, if you want to deal with that, then you’re going to have to do some things which are unpopular, and show some courage.
« 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? I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people. »
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Ratcliffe’s controversial comments prompted MUMSC to turn to X (formerly Twitter) and release a statement in response.
The statement emphasises United’s identity as a diverse, global club and demands leadership that brings people together rather than driving them apart. The statement 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.
« Manchester United is a global club built on diversity – on players, staff and supporters from every background, faith and ethnicity. The strength of our club, and of our country, lies in that diversity.
« Debate on immigration policy is legitimate. But it must be conducted responsibly, without language that alienates communities or reinforces narratives associated with intolerance. We stand with all communities who reject racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms, and we call for leadership that unites rather than divides. »
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