Sir Jim Ratcliffe says ‘sorry’ about ‘alternative of language’ as he points 110-word assertion

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised for claiming Great Britain has been ‘colonised by immigrants’ but defended the meaning of his comments.

Ratcliffe has received major backlash for his comments on immigration in an interview earlier this week. The 73-year-old claimed Britain has been “colonised” by immigrants who “cost too much money” and are bleeding the state.

The United co-owner and INEOS chief has since backtracked on his strong choice of words but didn’t relent on his scathing view of the immigration system in this country.

JOIN US ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page

“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,” he said.

“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.

“My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone. It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK.”

Ratcliffe claimed that the UK will struggle with massive economic problems and political chaos as more pressure piles on the welfare state to care for incoming foreigners.

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as a Preferred Source in your Google search settings

He said: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. 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.”

The Office of National Statistics (ONS) estimates that the population of the UK was in fact 67 million in mid-2020 and 70 million in mid-2024. The UK population was estimated at 58.9 million in 2000.

Sir Jim also said he was not sure Labour leader, PM Sir Keir Starmer, is the right man to lead the country. Ratcliffe said: “I don’t know whether it’s just the apparatus that hasn’t allowed Keir to do it or, or he’s maybe too nice – I mean, Keir is a nice man.

“I like him, but it’s a tough job and I think you have to do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track, because at the moment I don’t think the economy is in a good state.”

Ratcliffe was slammed for his comments by Starmer, who called them “offensive and wrong.” The Prime Minister’s spokesman also said it is “right” that Ratcliffe has apologised.

Anti-discrimination body Kick It Out said: “Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments are disgraceful and deeply decisive at a time when football does so much to bring communities together.”

While the FA will reportedly examine whether his comments have brought the game into disrepute.