Manchester United: Sir Jim Ratcliffe explains himself and regrets his words

Manchester United: Ratcliffe backtracks

Manchester United: Sir Jim Ratcliffe explains himself and regrets his words

At the center of a heated controversy in England after referring to a country "colonized by immigrants," Sir Jim Ratcliffe felt compelled to clarify his remarks. In a statement released Thursday by INEOS, the owner of Manchester United and OGC Nice acknowledged that his comments had gone beyond their intended scope.

while standing by the substance of his message:

"It is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth."

Ratcliffe then clarified the exact context of his remarks:

noting that he was addressing

"the importance of economic growth, employment, skills, and the manufacturing sector in the UK."

Finally, the billionaire insisted on his objective:

"My intention was to highlight that governments must manage migration alongside investments in skills, industry, and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by all,"

before concluding:

"It is essential that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK."

– Thursday, 12 February 2026