Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has faced widespread criticism after claiming Britain has been 'colonised' by immigrants during a Sky News interview
Gary Lineker
Gary Lineker has criticised Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comment on immigration in Britain(Image: Rest is Football podcast)
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Gary Lineker has criticised Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments about Britain being 'colonised' by immigrants as the Manchester United co-owner faces mounting condemnation.
Ratcliffe sparked controversy on Wednesday during a Sky News interview whilst discussing the British economy. The 73-year-old has subsequently issued a partial apology for his statements, following widespread criticism and being urged to acknowledge his error by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Greater Manchester Mayor 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 assertions about population figures, claiming the United Kingdom had 58 million and now 70 million, whilst the Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimates the population stood at 67 million in mid-2020 and 70 million in mid-2024.
Ratcliffe said in a statement: "I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern but it is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth.
"My comments were made while answering questions about UK policy at the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, where I was discussing the importance of economic growth, jobs, skills and manufacturing in the UK.
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"My intention was to stress that governments must manage migration alongside investment in skills, industry and jobs so that long-term prosperity is shared by everyone. It is critical that we maintain an open debate on the challenges facing the UK."
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."
Sir Jim Ratcliffe on Sky News(Image: Sky News)
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"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."