Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial immigration comments have seen him come under fire from outspoken Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker has responded to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments on Britain being ‘colonised’ by immigrants (Image: Rest is Football podcast)
Gary Lineker has criticised Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments about Britain being ‘colonised’ by immigrants as the Manchester United co-owner faces mounting backlash. Ratcliffe sparked controversy on Wednesday during a Sky News interview in which he discussed the British economy.
The 73-year-old has since issued a partial apology for his remarks after facing criticism and being urged to acknowledge his error by Prime Minister Keir Starmer. The Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham and several United supporters’ groups have also condemned the billionaire.
Ratcliffe alleged that Britain has been ‘colonised’ by immigrants who are depleting state resources. He also made inaccurate claims about population figures, suggesting the United Kingdom had 58 million and now 70 million, whilst the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates the population was 67 million in mid-2020 and 70 million in mid-2024.
Speaking on the Rest is Football Podcast, Lineker said: “The hypocrisy I find difficult. Obviously, Keir Starmer has called for him to make an apology; whether he will or not remains to be seen.
“I watched it and the hypocrisy really – the guy’s a migrant himself, an economic migrant [because] he lives in Monaco. You can have a gripe all you like, but at least be here, pay taxes, and contribute to our society.”
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Sir Jim Ratcliffe speaks on Sky News (Image: Sky News)
“I would say a lot of these migrants who come in contribute enormously and facts show you that in terms of revenue and paid tax. Whereas Jim out there, in Monaco, is doing everything he can to avoid paying tax, I would suggest.
“Also, you’re one of the owners of Manchester United, a club that has a lot of players from overseas. When he’s talking about colonised with immigrants, is it OK that you’re a white person living abroad, not a brown or black person? I don’t know, only he can answer that question.
“Lots and lots of my friends who support United have come on and said similar things to what I’m saying now, they’re very disappointed. Look at the story of [how] Amad has ended up here. So I find it deeply concerning that an owner of a football club can say that sort of thing. Anyway, we’ll move on.”
