Some Manchester United players are concerned about Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments that the United Kingdom has been “colonised by immigrants”, believing he could “make enemies” in the dressing room.
Ratcliffe caused uproar by claiming immigrants cost too much money, with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemning the Manchester-born billionaire.
United themselves released a statement to insist they pride themselves on being inclusive, while Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, who is working with Ratcliffe on the club’s new stadium project, said the remarks were “insulting” and “inflammatory”.
Some of the club’s players have privately expressed disappointment. A source close to one of the current squad insisted that Ratcliffe “could make enemies with some players if he genuinely thinks like this”.
Another insider close to a different player told The i Paper that they “weren’t surprised” by how outspoken Ratcliffe had been, given he had been very open with his beliefs in public previously.
United have 17 overseas players in their first-team squad, with several homegrown players, Kobbie Mainoo included, coming from differing heritage backgrounds.
Ratcliffe does have a limited relationship with United’s players, taking time to speak to them when he does visit Old Trafford and the club’s Carrington training facility.
Other insiders have expressed concerns over the stadium project. Burnham and Ratcliffe are to work closely on the whole project, which will involve the use of government funding to pay for infrastructure projects around the new facility.
“These comments go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood: a place where people of all races, faiths and none have pulled together over centuries to build our city and our institutions, including Manchester United FC,” Burnham said on social media.
“Calling for curbs on levels of immigration is one thing; portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force is quite another. It is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.”
Funding for the stadium itself is yet to be secured and will require the cooperation of people from different backgrounds and ethnicities to see the vision come to fruition.
Ratcliffe risks FA charge
The i Paper has been told that Ratcliffe could face charges from the Football Association over his comment. An investigation has not been launched at this stage, but it is being considered.
It is a complicated issue, which is why the FA will take time to assess their options. Ratcliffe is considered a “participant” of a football club as he is part-owner, so he has to abide by the rules as laid out in the FA handbook.
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The generic FA law of “bringing the game into disrepute” doesn’t exist anymore.
Instead, FA Rule E3(1) mandates that all participants – players, coaches and officials – must act in the best interests of the game, avoiding improper, violent, abusive, indecent, or insulting behaviour that brings the game into disrepute.
The ruling covers actions on the pitch, in the media, and on social media.
He could therefore be charged with acting “improperly” or his comments could be deemed as “insulting behaviour”. The question is whether Ratcliffe’s outburst was made in a “football setting”, as the FA only has jurisdiction to charge someone if that is the case.
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