Ratcliffe Sorry Language 'offended Some' After Immigration Comments

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has apologised for "offending immoderate people" pinch his connection aft saying nan UK had been "colonised by immigrants", but maintained an "open debate" connected nan matter was needed.

The billionaire co-owner of Manchester United had faced disapproval from Sir Keir Starmer, who described his comments connected Wednesday arsenic "offensive and wrong".

On Thursday, Sir Jim said: "I americium sorry that my prime of connection has offended immoderate group successful nan UK and Europe and caused interest but it is important to raise nan rumor of controlled and well-managed migration that supports economical growth."

Sources told BBC Sport that nan FA is examining whether Sir Jim's comments brought nan crippled into disrepute.

Should nan FA formally analyse Sir Jim's comments and take to complaint nan 73-year-old nether its ain rules, he could look further punishment.

His earlier comments to Sky News had drawn disapproval from Manchester United instrumentality groups. He said: "You can't person an system pinch 9 cardinal group connected benefits and immense levels of immigrants coming in.

"I mean, nan UK has been colonised. It's costing excessively overmuch money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn't it?"

He incorrectly claimed nan organization of nan UK had risen by 12 cardinal to 70 cardinal group successful nan past 5 years. The Office for National Statistics estimates it has really risen from 66.7 cardinal to 69.4 million, an summation of little than 3 million.

A Downing Street spokesperson said it was "absolutely right" that Sir Jim had apologised for his language.

Following nan billionaire's comments to nan broadcaster, nan premier minister's spokesperson said Sir Keir thought they were "offensive and wrong" and it is "absolutely right" he apologised.

Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy said "a batch of group find that connection offensive".

He added nan authorities has "done a batch to carnivore down" connected mini boats and location is "lots we request to do connected irregular migration".

Reform UK leader Nigel Farage antecedently pushed backmost against Sir Keir, saying: "Britain has undergone unprecedented wide migration that has changed nan characteristic of galore areas successful our country."

Following nan apology, Farage said he believes nan comments were "right".

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said Sir Jim's comments "go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood".

"Footballers who person arrived from each complete nan world to play successful Greater Manchester person enhanced nan life of our metropolis region."

Criticism of Sir Jim's remarks besides came successful from shot groups.

Anti-discrimination run group Kick It Out called them "disgraceful and profoundly divisive", while anti-racism kindness Show Racism nan Red Card said it was "deeply concerned".

"Language of this benignant echoes narratives that person historically been utilized to stigmatise migrant communities, substance division, and legitimise hostility towards number groups," it said successful a statement.

"Football clubs and their activity clasp tremendous taste influence."

Ratcliffe, 1 of Britain's richest individuals, founded 1 of nan world's largest chemic companies, Ineos.

In 2020, he reportedly moved from nan UK to Monaco, which does not cod individual income taxation aliases superior gains taxes.

He acquired a 27.7% liking successful Man Utd successful 2024, and has since restructured nan organisation, making 450 redundancies, overhauling elder guidance and sacking 2 managers.

He campaigned for a Leave ballot successful nan 2016 European Union referendum.

Ahead of nan 2024 wide election, he told Bloomberg he had "had enough" of nan Tories, putting his support alternatively down Labour.