Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has delivered a powerful rebuke to anti-immigrant sentiment, urging global societies to "embrace other cultures" to build a "better society." His comments come in direct response to controversial remarks made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who claimed the United Kingdom had been "colonised by immigrants."
Guardiola's Global Perspective on Immigration
Speaking at a press conference, Guardiola addressed Ratcliffe's statement, which the billionaire businessman later apologised for, acknowledging the apology but pivoting to a broader critique. "I have a huge appreciation for Sir Jim. I was fortunate to meet him. He made a statement after to apologise," Guardiola stated. However, he emphasised that the treatment of immigrants worldwide represents a profound societal failing.
"I'm not commenting on what Sir Jim Ratcliffe said because after that he said what exactly he wanted to say, but all around the world the problem that we have in all the countries is that we treat immigrants or people who come from other countries as the problem for problems that our countries have and it is a big, big, big, big, big problem," Guardiola declared passionately.
Drawing from Personal Experience
Guardiola, who has managed and lived in multiple countries including Spain, Germany, Italy, England, and Qatar, reflected on the arbitrariness of birthplace and the universal human desire for improvement. "The fact that I am a Catalan and you are British – what influence did we have on where we were born? It was mum and dad," he noted, highlighting that geographical origins are purely accidental.
He elaborated on the motivations behind migration, stating, "Everybody wants to have a better life and a perspective to have a better future for themselves, their families and their friends, and sometimes opportunities come in the place where you are born and the place that maybe you go." Guardiola stressed that many immigrants are "running away from countries because of problems in their countries, not because they want to leave."
A Call for Societal Progress
The decorated manager argued that modern civilisation must move beyond superficial distinctions. "Today the colour of the skin or where you were born doesn't make a difference. We have a lot of work to do about that," he asserted. Guardiola shared how his international experiences have personally enriched him, saying, "It doesn't make me feel that because I am Catalan I am better than you... I met incredibly nice people travelling and that is what it is about, but it doesn't make me feel better just for the fact I was born in one place or the other one."
Political and Institutional Backlash
Ratcliffe's original comments, made during a Sky News interview earlier this week, sparked immediate condemnation from prominent political figures. Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham both publicly criticised the remarks. Furthermore, the Football Association is understood to be reviewing whether Ratcliffe's statements brought the sport into disrepute, potentially leading to disciplinary action.
In response to the controversy, Manchester United issued an official statement reaffirming its commitment to diversity and inclusion. "Our diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters, reflect the history and heritage of Manchester; a city that anyone can call home. Since launching All Red All Equal in 2016, we have embedded equality, diversity and inclusion into everything we do. We remain deeply committed to the principles and spirit of that campaign," the club declared.
Ratcliffe's Clarification and Apology
Following the widespread backlash, Sir Jim Ratcliffe offered a clarification and apology for his choice of language. "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," he stated. This attempt to reframe the discussion around immigration policy did little to quell the criticism from Guardiola and others who viewed the initial remarks as harmful and divisive.
The exchange between one of football's most successful managers and a leading club owner underscores the ongoing, heated debate surrounding immigration in the United Kingdom and beyond, highlighting the intersection of sports, business, and social policy in contemporary discourse.
