Manchester United part-owner Jim Ratcliffe issued an apology Thursday after sparking controversy with comments he made Wednesday regarding immigration to the United Kingdom.
In an interview with Sky News, the 72-year-old, who himself immigrated to the principality and tax haven of Monaco, criticized British immigration policy.
The reaction to his remarks centered on his phrasing regarding demographic changes within the country.
Ratcliffe claimed that the nation has “lost control” due to significant population growth.
“Britain has been colonised by immigrants, hasn’t it? I mean the population was 58 million in 2020. Now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people,” Ratcliffe stated to Sky News.
However, the figures Ratcliffe cited were inaccurate.
According to the Office for National Statistics, the population was 66.7 million in 2020 and rose to approximately 69.4 million by mid-2025, as reported by the Financial Times.
On Thursday, the British businessman issued a statement apologizing for his comments.
“I regret my choice of words and the upset they have caused to people in Britain and beyond, but It’s important to address the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth,” Ratcliffe said.
He continued.
“My intention was to emphasize that governments need to manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs, so that long-term prosperity is shared by all. It is critical that we maintain an open debate about the challenges facing Britain.”
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United expert: – Needed to check the facts
Reactions to Ratcliffe’s statements Wednesday were swift from various British politicians and organizations.
Bjarte Valen is the editor of the magazine United-supporteren. Based in London, he spends considerable time in Manchester. He was critical of the comments from the United part-owner, and understands the reactions coming from across the country.
“This actually surprises me. Jim Ratcliffe is a person who, if he agrees to give an interview, says what’s on his mind. He’s the type who doesn’t question for a quote check afterwards, or anything like that. It’s occurred to me many times: He needs a PR advisor, to put it bluntly,” Valen told Nettavisen.
“He needs someone who could whisper a few words in his ear about what he should talk about. And certainly if he’s going to fire off at something he has an opinion about being wrong with Britain, as in this case: Then he needs to check the facts first,” the Norwegian editor added.
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Valen is not entirely dismissive of everything Ratcliffe has done since joining the club around two years ago. He agrees that the 72-year-old has taken necessary steps to tighten spending at Manchester United.
However, he believes Ratcliffe’s statements to Sky News could undermine perceptions of him and the support he might garner for leading the club forward.
UNITED-KJENNER: Bjarte Valen, journalist for the Manchester United Norwegian supporters club, closely follows the club from England. Photo: Private
“This represents not a smart move on his part, tactically. I’ve gone against the grain a bit, and said that I understand Ratcliffe and have given him some praise for some of the moves he’s made. Manchester is generally a very tolerant city and a multicultural community. The city is more known for that than London, even though London has many more immigrants,” Valen told Nettavisen.
“I don’t consider this helps Ratcliffe. It’s a bit silly, because he could have used some ‘goodwill’ from fans and from people in Manchester. Ratcliffe is facing one of the biggest single projects in the city of Manchester’s history, if you think about the entire area around Old Trafford,” Valen continued.
“I think he could have benefited from wider support from the local population and among United fans. He would have made it easier if he had people with him. My first thought was that he could have saved himself this outburst. Some will say it’s good to say what he thinks. But when he says something that is fundamentally imprecise or at worst directly wrong, it quickly backfires on him,” Valen believes.
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Valen pointed out that Ratcliffe has secured the support of authorities for plans for a large-scale development project, where United is building a new stadium, plus a number of new houses and could create thousands of new jobs.
In that connection, the editor believes that the United owner could have benefited from broader support from the local population and among United fans.
“I don’t think this helps Ratcliffe. It’s a bit silly, because he could have used some ‘goodwill’ from fans and from people in Manchester. Ratcliffe is facing one of the biggest single projects in the city of Manchester’s history, if you think about the entire area around Old Trafford.”
Outrage: – Shameful
Ratcliffe’s statements have sparked outrage over the past 24 hours, and the organization “Kick it out,” which works to stop all forms of discrimination in sport, issued a strong condemnation of Ratcliffe’s comments on Wednesday evening.
“Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments are shameful and deeply divisive at a time when football is doing so much to bring communities together,” they wrote on X.
They also pointed out that the figures Ratcliffe presented were inaccurate, and reminded him that Manchester United has a multicultural fanbase, and plays in a city with a cultural history enriched by immigrants.
“This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe most fans will sense the same,” they said.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer also strongly distanced himself from Ratcliffe’s statements.
“Offensive and wrong. Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country. Jim Ratcliffe should apologize,” he wrote on X.
Criticized the Prime Minister
Ratcliffe also took aim at Starmer himself during the interview.
The Ineos owner suggested that he personally likes the British Prime Minister, but believes he lacks the necessary ruthlessness to govern the country.
“I don’t know whether he’s perhaps too nice. Keir is a pleasant man, but it’s a tough job. You have to do a lot of demanding things to get Britain back on track,” he said.
