Manchester United supporter group expresses concern over Ratcliffe’s immigration perspectives.
A group of Manchester United supporters has criticized remarks made by part-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe after the British billionaire stated that the UK has been “colonised” by immigrants.
The Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club (MUMSC) issued a statement on Wednesday following an interview Ratcliffe conducted with Sky News, where the 73-year-old expressed concerns about the effects of “huge levels of immigrants” entering the nation.
“You cannot sustain an economy with nine million individuals on benefits and significant numbers of immigrants arriving,” Ratcliffe remarked during the European Industry Summit in Antwerp.
“I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?”
In reaction, MUMSC, which holds official recognition from the club, stated that Ratcliffe’s language “mirrors rhetoric often associated with far-right narratives” and deemed the comments “deeply troubling.”
The statement noted: “Manchester United is a global club founded on diversity — encompassing players, staff, and supporters from all backgrounds, faiths, and ethnicities.
“The strength of our club, and of our nation, is rooted in that diversity.
“We stand in solidarity with all communities that oppose racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia, and hatred in any form, and we urge for leadership that fosters unity rather than division.”
