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Emily Sergeant -
16th March 2020
Emily Sergeant -
16th March 2020 News
Kick It Out issues statement condemning Jim Ratcliffe’s comments about immigrants
Danny Jones
Football’s leading anti-discrimination organisation here in the UK, Kick It Out, have issued an official statement condemning the recent comments made by Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration.
Safe to say that the remarks made by the minority stakeholder haven’t gone down well among the majority either, be that United fans, other football supporters, or members of the public in general.
In case you haven’t seen Ratcliffe’s controversial interview with Sky News, the headline is that he believes “the UK has been colonised by immigrants”.
You can see the video in question down here:
Unsurprisingly, the contentious talking head has sparked major backlash far beyond just the fan base, with everyone from Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, pundits such as Carl Anka and political commentator Piers Morgan issuing their own responses to the clip on social media.
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Burnham summed up Ratcliffe’s opinions by stating that “portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force […] is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.”
Meanwhile, Anka is one of many to point out the hypocrisy behind the British billionaire’s stance, given that he has registered his formal residence in the principality of Monaco, meaning he doesn’t have to pay UK income tax.
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Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has also come out to criticise the 73-year-old INEOS chairman and CEO, writing simply that what he said was “offensive and wrong”, noting that “Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country.”
Ratcliffe was born in Failsworth – part of the metropolitan borough of Oldham – but most notably lived in Hampshire, before also relocating his petrochemical company’s headquarters to Switzerland back in 2010 and, as previously mentioned, moving to Monaco himself at the outset of the pandemic.
As for Kick It Out, the anti-hate group shared a short but emphatic statement on social media expressing their disappointment and distress following the outburst.
I'm confident the vast majority of my fellow United fans want nothing to do with Ratcliffe's toxic comments. A horrible man happy to dodge tax and sow division in the country that made him.
— Neil Riddell (@n_riddell) February 11, 2026
The statement goes on to recognise that Man United‘s home city is one “whose cultural history has been enriched by immigrants”, adding, “This type of language and leadership has no place in English football, and we believe most fans will feel the same.”
Despite having roots in the region, many online are now expressing that they feel the expat deeply misunderstands not only the multiculturalism that makes the club a global brand and worldwide sporting community, but also the region he was born in, and the nation he belongs to truly great.
Plenty more on social media are also raising concerns after journalist Ed Conway pointed out that Ratcliffe recently engaged with right-wing Reform UK leader, Nigel Farage.
Quizzing him on the meeting during the chat, Ratcliffe said, “I think Nigel is an intelligent man and I think he’s got good intentions” and that the role of PM requires someone willing to make “unpopular decisions” to get “the big issues sorted out”.
You can watch Jim Ratcliffe’s sit-down with Sky in full down right HERE.
Ash Sarkar, "Jim Ratcliffe is a stinking hypocrite"
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) February 12, 2026
"He became a tax resident of Monaco to save £4 billion that could have gone towards British schools, the British NHS, towards British defence, instead he decided he wanted that money for his own pocket"
"If it wasn't for… pic.twitter.com/gpoZTfI8ZH
Read more:
- Oldham RLFC chairman to step aside following ‘stadium ban’ and winding-up petition
- Man jailed following series of ‘violent’ knife attacks in Wigan town centre last summer
- JD, Nike and MADE Running just hosted a historic 5k race INSIDE the Trafford Centre
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Featured Images — The Manc Group/Sky News (screenshot via YouTube)
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Oldham man given life sentence after attacking nurse with scissors at hospital
Emily Sergeant
A man from Oldham has been sentenced to life in prison after attacking a nurse with scissors when he was in hospital.
Romon Haque, of Yasmin Gardens in Oldham, previously pleaded guilty to possession of a bladed article, before being additionally later found guilty of attempted murder, and he appeared at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court yesterday (11 February 2026) to receive his sentence.
The court heard how the attack took place at Royal Oldham Hospital on Saturday 12 January 2025, where at around 11:30pm, Haque asked a nurse for medication, who advised that she would come and see him shortly.
Haque then got out of his bed, walked over to where the nurse was stood, and pulled out a pair of scissors from his pocket. He subsequently stabbed her three times, resulting in serious injuries to her face, neck, and hands.
He was pulled away from his victim by staff members who intervened.
The victim was immediately given urgent medical treatment, and subsequently taken to intensive care following the attack.
Following his initial court appearance, Haque was deemed fit to stand trial, appearing at court in June and July last year, before his official sentencing took place this week.
In total, Haque was sentenced to 28 years – 22 of those being in prison, with an extra six years following on licence.
Speaking following Haque’s sentencing, Detective Sergeant Jennifer O’Brien, from the Greater Manchester Police (GMP) Oldham district, said: “This was a horrific, unprovoked attack on a woman who was simply doing her job for those in need in a hospital. I want to commend the bravery of those who intervened, and who prevented the situation from potentially being much more serious.
Read more:
- Royal Oldham Hospital staff member left with ‘life-changing injuries’ following attack
- Man jailed following series of ‘violent’ knife attacks in Wigan town centre last summer
- Tameside ambulance worker jailed after trying to murder boss in ‘frenzied hammer attack’
“Emergency workers should never face violence from the very people they are trying to help, and I am glad Haque is now behind bars following this vile incident.”
Featured Image – GMP
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