Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was asked about the comments from Manchester United owner on immigration to the UK
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe shakes hands with Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola following the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 25, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 25: Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe shakes hands with Manchester City manager Josep Guardiola following the Emirates FA Cup Final match between Manchester City and Manchester United at Wembley Stadium on May 25, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Chris Brunskill/Fantasista/Getty Images)
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Pep Guardiola and Sir Jim Ratcliffe
Pep Guardiola completely rejected the claims made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe this week about immigration. The Manchester City manager said that blaming immigrants for the issues that already exist in countries is a 'big problem' and that embracing cultures is the only way to make society better.
Citing inaccurate figures to support his claims, Ratcliffe gave an interview this week where he said that the UK had been 'colonised' by immigrants who were drawing resources from the state. He was backed by Reform UK leader Nigel Farage but criticised by Greater Manchester mayor Andy Burnham, the Manchester United Muslim Supporters' Club and many others.
An apology if anyone was offended by his choice was language was issued the following day but has seemingly done little to change the reaction of what the billionaire said or meant. Guardiola brought up the apology when he was asked about the comments, but his general view was still the opposite of what Ratcliffe was saying.
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"I have a huge appreciation for Sir Jim, I was fortunate to meet him. He made a statement after to apologise. I'm not commenting on what Sir Jim Ratcliffe said because after that he said what exactly he wanted to say but all around the world the problem that we have in all the countries," said Guardiola.
"We treat immigrants or people who come from other countries as the problem for problems that our countries have and it is a big, big, big, big, big problem. The fact that I am a Catalan and you are British - what influence did we have on where we were born? It was mum and dad. Everybody wants to have a better life and a perspective to have a better future for themselves, their families and their friends, and sometimes opportunities comes in the place where you are born and the place that maybe you go.
"Before it was so difficult to travel but today in one hour you can be everywhere. Today the colour of the skin or where you were born doesn't make a difference. We have a lot of work to do about that.
"It doesn't make me feel that because I am Catalan I am better than you. My education when I was born and travelled in Mexico and Qatar or lived in Italy or England or Germany, that is just the benefit of my personality. I met incredibly nice people traveling and that is what it is about but it doesn't make me feel better just for the fact I was born in one place or the other one.
"Most people are running away from countries because of problems in their countries, not because they want to leave. As much as we embrace other cultures - truly, truly embrace it - that will be a better society."
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