Sport

Kick It Out issues statement condemning Jim Ratcliffe’s comments about immigrants

It has sparked plenty of backlash.

Danny Jones - 12th February 2026

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:

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A post shared by Sky News (@skynews)

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.

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“portraying those who come here as a hostile invading force […] is inaccurate, insulting, inflammatory and should be withdrawn.”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.

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"

"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
— Farrukh (@implausibleblog) February 12, 2026