Share
Tweet
Share
Share
ShareSummary: A fresh row has erupted after Manchester United’s Muslim Supporters Club publicly rebuked Sir Jim Ratcliffe over his claim that Britain has been “colonised by immigrants”. The backlash follows comments the INEOS boss made to Sky News. Now the dispute is widening beyond economics into a broader fight over language, immigration and influence inside one of Britain’s biggest football institutions.
Muslim Man Utd Fan Group Condemns Ratcliffe’s “Colonised” Claim
According to GB News, the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club issued a strongly worded statement after Sir Jim Ratcliffe described the UK as having been “colonised by immigrants”.
The comments were made during an interview with Sky News at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where Ratcliffe was discussing Britain’s economic outlook.
“You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in,” Ratcliffe said.
He went further:
“I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?”
Within hours of the interview airing, the Muslim supporters’ group published a public response on social media, saying his language was “deeply concerning”.
The group criticised what they described as his characterisation of Britain as being “colonised”, arguing that the word carries heavy political meaning.
“The word ‘colonised’ echoes language frequently used in far-right narratives that frame migrants as invaders and demographic threats.”
Language, Power and Public Influence
The supporters’ club did not only challenge the vocabulary used. They warned about what happens when influential figures use language that mirrors hardline political messaging.
“Public discourse shapes public behaviour. When influential figures adopt language that mirrors extremist talking points, it risks legitimising prejudice and deepening division.”
They also referenced rising hate crime figures in Britain in recent years, including incidents involving Islamophobia, anti-Semitism and racially motivated attacks.
This is where the debate shifts. Ratcliffe framed his comments around economics and welfare sustainability. His critics argue the framing moves the conversation from policy into identity.
And here’s the elephant in the room. Ratcliffe is not just a businessman. He is co-owner of Manchester United, one of the most global football brands on earth. Every word carries weight beyond a business conference.
Football, Identity and Britain’s Immigration Debate
The Muslim Supporters Club stressed that Manchester United represents a diverse, international community of players, staff and fans.
They described diversity as one of the club’s greatest strengths and insisted immigration policy can be debated without language that alienates communities.
“We stand with all communities who reject racism, anti-Semitism, Islamophobia and hatred in all its forms, and we call for leadership that unites rather than divides.”
For working people watching this unfold, the issue splits into two clear strands.
First, many voters are concerned about the scale and cost of immigration. Ratcliffe’s figures and framing tap into that frustration, particularly around welfare and public spending.
Second, others fear that describing the country as “colonised” risks inflaming tensions rather than solving practical problems.
This row shows how immigration is no longer just a Westminster debate. It now reaches into boardrooms, football clubs and corporate Britain.
Ratcliffe’s comments were aimed at economic sustainability. The backlash shows how quickly that discussion becomes cultural and political.
The bigger question is whether Britain can have a blunt conversation about numbers, costs and pressure on services without it descending into accusations of extremism.
Because whether people like the wording or not, immigration remains one of the most powerful political fault lines in modern Britain.
