Manchester United Sikh Fan Founder Slams Jim Ratcliffe's 'Colonised' Immigration Remarks
The founder of Manchester United's official Sikh supporters club has delivered a blistering condemnation of billionaire co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's controversial immigration comments, describing them as "offensive" and "unacceptable" for a club built on diversity.
Immigration Comments Spark Fury
Preetam Singh, who established the Stretford Sikhs supporters group, expressed profound disappointment after Ratcliffe claimed the UK had been "colonised by immigrants" and warned the country could not afford soaring immigration alongside a ballooning welfare bill. The 73-year-old billionaire, who resides in tax-haven Monaco, made the remarks earlier this week, igniting widespread criticism across political and sporting circles.
"If there were no immigrants there would be no Manchester United," Singh declared emphatically. "When we heard his comments we were really, really disappointed and shocked. It was sheer disappointment about what he said and the language he used."
Club Diversity Undermined
Singh highlighted the stark contradiction between Ratcliffe's statements and Manchester United's identity as one of the world's most diverse football clubs. "He's the owner of Manchester United, a club which is the complete opposite to what he said," Singh explained. "The biggest club in the world, the most diverse club, fans from every community. It's unacceptable."
The fan leader specifically objected to Ratcliffe's use of the term "colonised," arguing it carried painful historical connotations. "The word 'colonised' is offensive. Not just for fans, but for the whole club and the players," Singh stated, noting that British colonial history partly explains contemporary immigration patterns.
Factual Inaccuracies Exposed
Ratcliffe's comments contained significant factual errors that have drawn additional criticism. The billionaire claimed the UK population had grown from 58 million in 2020 to 70 million currently, representing an increase of 12 million. However, Office for National Statistics data reveals:
- The UK population stood at approximately 67 million in 2020
- It reached 70 million in 2024
- The population hasn't been as low as 58 million since the year 2000
Political leaders swiftly condemned Ratcliffe's statements. Prime Minister Keir Starmer labeled them "offensive and wrong," while Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham described the remarks as "inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory."
Apology Deemed Insufficient
Although Ratcliffe subsequently issued an apology, stating he was "sorry that my choice of language has offended some people," Singh dismissed this as inadequate. "You can debate if you can call that an apology, I don't accept it as an apology," the season ticket holder asserted. "There's no justification for what he said."
Singh emphasized the particular weight of Ratcliffe's words given his position at Manchester United. "Everyone is entitled to an opinion on immigration policy, about how they feel. But words that are made in public really matter, especially when they come from Jim Ratcliffe, the owner of Manchester United. His words have impact."
Immigrant Contributions Highlighted
The Stretford Sikhs founder underscored the essential role immigrants play at Manchester United and within the UK economy. He noted that without immigration, United's starting lineup against West Ham would have contained just three players. Furthermore, Singh challenged Ratcliffe's claim about nine million people receiving benefits.
"While he sits in Monaco paying zero tax, immigrants in the UK are paying billions in tax, contributing to the economy," Singh countered. "He's probably contributed to those on benefits because he's made so many redundancies at the club."
Singh also pointed out the irony of Ratcliffe's residence in Monaco, where approximately 78% of the population consists of immigrants.
Diversity Work Undermined
The fan leader expressed concern that Ratcliffe's comments would undermine extensive diversity initiatives at Manchester United. "We've done so much hard work with the club in the past 12 months into diversity," Singh revealed. "These comments undermine that."
He predicted the controversy would distract from on-field progress, noting that assistant manager Michael Carrick would likely face questions about the remarks at the next press conference. "Things have been getting better for the team in the last few games, but the questions will all be about that," Singh lamented. "Jim Ratcliffe needs to make a proper apology."
Club Statement on Diversity
Manchester United released an official statement addressing diversity without directly referencing Ratcliffe's comments. The club affirmed: "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."
The statement continued: "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."
Manchester United holds the Premier League's Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard, reinforcing their commitment to representing their people, city, and fans with purpose and pride.
