Manchester United took the extraordinary step of publicly asserting their “inclusive and welcoming” values after their co-owner Jim Ratcliffe sparked widespread condemnation with his comments about immigration.
In statement that did not name Ratcliffe but clearly referred to his claims that the UK is being “colonised” by immigrants, United affirmed their commitment to “equality, diversity and inclusion” and described Manchester as “a city that anyone can call home”.
Ratcliffe, who issued a heavily qualified apology earlier on Thursday, could yet be on the receiving end of disciplinary action from the Football Association, which is looking into whether his words brought the game into disrepute.
“Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club,” a statement said. “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. Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign.”
In an interview with Sky News on Wednesday, Ratcliffe took aim at people receiving state support and immigrants. “You can’t afford … you can’t have an economy with 9 million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” he said. “The UK is being colonised by immigrants, really, isn’t it?”
Ratcliffe also cited incorrect figures concerning the UK’s population. Football organisations have joined politicians and other public figures in condemning his comments and their tone. On Thursday Ratcliffe said he was sorry that his “choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe”.
An earlier statement from Show Racism the Red Card said: “Language of this kind echoes narratives that have historically been used to stigmatise migrant communities, fuel division, and legitimise hostility towards minority groups. Club influence should be used to challenge racism, not inadvertently amplify narratives that undermine community harmony.”
Kick it Out, the anti-discrimination body, described Ratcliffe’s words as “disgraceful and deeply divisive”. In a statement, it said: “In addition to the inaccurate figures mentioned, it’s worth reminding him that Manchester United has a diverse fanbase and plays in a city whose cultural history has been enriched by immigrants. This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe most fans will feel the same.”
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The Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club also criticised Ratcliffe. “Manchester United is a global club built on diversity – on players, staff and supporters from every background, faith and ethnicity,” it said in a statement. “The strength of our club, and of our country, lies in that diversity. We stand with all communities who reject racism, antisemitism, Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms, and we call for leadership that unites rather than divides.”
Ratcliffe’s handling of United, who are fourth in the Premier League, has drawn fierce criticism from fans. Their high-profile appointment of Ruben Amorim as head coach was a failure and the team are being led by Michael Carrick until the end of the season.
In a statement, the United supporters’ group the 1958 criticised Ratcliffe’s intervention and his decision to comment “on the issues of our country while living in Monaco to avoid paying tax”.
Ratcliffe bought a minority share in United in 2023 and has been labelled an “incompetent clown” by fans over his handling of football operations.
