• Jim Ratcliffe claims UK has been "colonised by immigrants", sparking widespread backlash.
• Prime Minister Keir Starmer demands an apology for Ratcliffe's "offensive" remarks.
• Ratcliffe apologises, citing a need for controlled immigration that supports economic growth.
• Fan groups and political leaders condemn Ratcliffe's comments as damaging and inflammatory.
• Discrepancies in Ratcliffe's claims about UK population statistics raise further controversy.

Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, has ignited outrage across the UK following his suggestion in a recent Sky News interview that the country has been "colonised by immigrants." His remarks, which intertwined immigration with economic decline, were met with swift condemnation from various political figures and fan groups who labelled his language as inflammatory and reminiscent of far-right narratives. Ratcliffe stated, "You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in," asserting that "the UK has been colonised" (according to Indiatimes, Al Jazeera, SCMP, and Indiatimes).

The political fallout was immediate, with Prime Minister Keir Starmer describing Ratcliffe's remarks as “offensive and wrong,” while also calling for an apology. Starmer emphasized the importance of maintaining a proud and diverse society, contrasting Ratcliffe's comments with the reality of societal contributions made by immigrants (according to Indiatimes, Al Jazeera, SCMP, and Indiatimes).

In response to the backlash, Ratcliffe later issued an apology, stating, “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe… it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.” He clarified that his intention was to underscore the need for balanced discussions about migration in relation to economic success (according to SCMP and Indiatimes).

Fan reactions have also been significant, with groups such as the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club expressing deep concern over the normalization of rhetoric that portrays immigrants as "invaders." They highlighted the "real-world consequences" such language can have, particularly given the rising hostility towards migrants in recent years (according to Al Jazeera and Indiatimes).

Moreover, the discussions surrounding Ratcliffe's comments have prompted widespread concern regarding the impact of his rhetoric on social cohesion. The anti-discrimination group Kick It Out condemned the remarks as "disgraceful and deeply divisive," emphasizing the importance of unity within the diverse fan base of Manchester United and the broader community (according to SCMP and Al Jazeera).