Sky News believes the Football Association has spoken to Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to remind him of his responsibilities as a participant in English football.
The intervention by football’s governing body comes after Sir Jim’s comments about immigration.
The founder of INEOS chemicals group told Sky News that Britain was “colonized” by immigrants. Who were exploiting the resources from the state.
The FA reportedly advised Sir Jim to keep his football responsibilities in mind when participating in media interviews. However, he will not face further action from the governing body over his comments.
Sir Jim, who is one of Britain’s richest men.
but lives in tax-exempt Monaco, told Sky News, “You can’t have an economy that benefits nine million people and brings in huge numbers of immigrants.
“I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants, hasn’t it?”
He later said he was “sad that my choice of language has offended some people.”.
Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe later apologised for the comments. Photo: AP
Anti-racism organization Kick It expressed disappointment that Sir Jim did not face harsher consequences for his comments.
In a statement, it said, “Kick It Out is disappointed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has not been given a stronger sanction for bringing the game into disrepute.
“When speaking in any capacity, he is still the representative and co-owner of Manchester United, which has a global following.
Unexpectedly, he brought the club into a TV interview, where he misrepresented the facts and used divisive language.
“At a time when different forces are trying to divide society, football must unite. We urge those in leadership positions to be mindful of their responsibility.”
Prominent figures in football and politics have already condemned his comments.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer Called the comments “offensive and wrong” and urged the Man United co-owner to apologise.
“The UK is a proud, tolerant and diverse country,” he said in a post on X.
“Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves went further, describing the comments as “disgusting”.
Chancellor tells Sky: Ratcliffe’s comments ‘disgusting’
Ratcliffe later apologised, saying, “I regret that my choice of language has offended and caused concern to some people in the UK and Europe.”
However, some Man United supporter groups were unhappy with his apology.
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Pritam Singh, of the Stretford Sikh fans group, said, “It was a very half-hearted apology to justify what he had said.
“So I would hope, and I hope, that he and the club will probably come forward and make a statement with a proper apology.”
The Premier League club later issued a statement distancing itself from its co-owner’s comments.
He said that Manchester is a city that “anyone can call home,” adding that the club has “a diverse group of players and staff and a global community of supporters.”
However, some people came out in support of the comments.
Farage: Ratcliffe colonization comment ‘right’
Reform Britain leader Nigel Farage said they were “right”, but there was a backlash because some people were “just not ready for it”.
