England Rugby Captain Maro Itoje Denounces Jim Ratcliffe's Immigration Comments as 'Ridiculous'
England rugby union captain Maro Itoje has issued a strong condemnation of remarks made by Manchester United minority owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration, branding them as "ridiculous" and "wrong". The controversy erupted earlier this week when Sir Jim claimed in a Sky News interview that the United Kingdom had been "colonised" by immigrants, a statement that has since drawn widespread criticism and prompted an apology from the billionaire businessman.
Itoje's Personal Response and Background
Speaking ahead of England's crucial Calcutta Cup clash against Scotland in the Guinness Six Nations tournament at Murrayfield, Itoje expressed his dismay at Ratcliffe's comments. The star lock, who is preparing to return to the starting XV, asserted that the claims were "so far from the truth". Itoje, who is of Nigerian descent and was born in England, directly addressed the issue, stating: "Obviously I don't condone the language that he used. I think, if I have read correctly, he has apologised for his comments."
He continued with a pointed rebuttal: "I am of Nigerian descent. I was born in this country but of Nigerian descent, and I think it's ridiculous to say that Great Britain has been colonised by immigrants, because that is so far from the truth, so, yeah, I think it's wrong." This personal perspective highlights the broader implications of such statements on individuals with immigrant backgrounds in the UK.
Pep Guardiola's Call for Cultural Embrace
Meanwhile, Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola also entered the debate, offering a more nuanced view on immigration and societal integration. At a press conference, Guardiola emphasised the need to "embrace other cultures" to foster a "better society". He reflected on his own identity as a Catalan and his experiences living in multiple countries, including Mexico, Qatar, Italy, England, and Germany.
Guardiola stated: "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. Everybody wants to have a better life and a perspective to have a better future for themselves, their families and their friends." He acknowledged meeting Ratcliffe and noted the apology, but focused on the global issue: "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."
He further elaborated: "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. Most people are running away from countries because of problems in their countries, not because they want to leave. As much as we embrace other cultures – truly, truly embrace it – that will be a better society."
Political and Institutional Backlash
Ratcliffe's initial comments have sparked significant backlash from political figures, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham. In response to the growing criticism, Manchester United issued a statement on Thursday afternoon reaffirming the club's commitment to inclusivity. The statement read: "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."
Additionally, it is understood that the Football Association will examine Ratcliffe's claims to determine if they brought the game into disrepute, adding an institutional layer to the controversy. Ratcliffe has since apologised, saying: "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."
This incident underscores the ongoing tensions and debates surrounding immigration in the UK, with high-profile figures from sports and business weighing in on a topic that continues to shape national discourse. As Itoje and Guardiola's responses illustrate, the conversation extends beyond mere politics into personal identity and societal values.
