FA Reminds Manchester United Co-Owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe About Immigration Comments

The FA will not take further action against Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe for his immigration comments, but has issued a reminder about his responsibilities.
By Newsroom | Football, UK Politics |

The Football Association (FA) has issued a reminder to Sir Jim Ratcliffe, co-owner of Manchester United, about his responsibilities following recent comments he made about immigration. While the FA has concluded its review and will not pursue further disciplinary action, the organization advised Ratcliffe to be mindful of his role within football when speaking to the media. The remarks themselves generated significant public and political debate, leading to calls for an apology and prompting Manchester United to reiterate their commitment to inclusive values.

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Context of the Controversy

In a recent interview with Sky News, Sir Jim Ratcliffe made statements regarding immigration and the United Kingdom's population. These comments, which included what were later identified as erroneous statistics concerning immigration levels and welfare recipients, drew immediate backlash.

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  • Timing of Comments: The remarks were made around February 12, 2026, a period of considerable interest in both football club ownership and national policy.

  • Nature of Remarks: Ratcliffe reportedly suggested the UK was being "colonised by immigrants" and linked economic issues to immigration and welfare, citing figures that were later disputed by official sources like the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

  • Immediate Reaction: The comments were widely condemned by political figures, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who called the language "offensive and wrong." Football figures and supporter groups also voiced their disapproval, with the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club being among them.

  • Club Response: Manchester United issued a statement following the controversy, emphasizing their dedication to "inclusive values" but did not directly address Ratcliffe's remarks or mention their co-owner by name.

  • Ratcliffe's Apology: Sir Jim Ratcliffe subsequently issued a statement, described as "heavily qualified" by some reports, in which he backtracked on some of his claims and acknowledged the figures he presented were incorrect.

FA's Involvement and Decision

The Football Association, as the governing body for football in England, initiated a review to determine if Ratcliffe's comments had brought the game into disrepute, a breach of FA rules.

Read More: FA Investigates Manchester United Co-Owner Jim Ratcliffe for Immigration Remarks in February 2026

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  • Investigation: The FA's legal team examined the substance and impact of Ratcliffe's statements.

  • Outcome: After its review, the FA concluded that no further action would be taken against Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

  • FA's Communication: The FA's intervention involved reminding Ratcliffe of his obligations as a prominent figure in football. They advised him to remember his responsibilities when participating in media interviews, particularly concerning his position with Manchester United.

Reactions and Ramifications

The fallout from Ratcliffe's comments extended beyond the FA's decision, affecting his standing with fans and public discourse.

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  • Public Opinion: While some individuals may have supported Ratcliffe's views, there was significant condemnation. Reports indicated that his relationship with some United fans had been harmed, and there was anticipation regarding his reception at future Old Trafford events.

  • Political Commentary: Political leaders, including Prime Minister Keir Starmer, openly criticized Ratcliffe, emphasizing the nation's diverse and tolerant identity. Ratcliffe had also voiced respect for Nigel Farage, leader of Reform UK, regarding his views on immigration, adding another layer to the political dimension of the controversy.

  • Club Identity: Manchester United's prompt statement about their "inclusive" stance appeared to be a measure to distance the club from the controversy and reaffirm its values, especially given its diverse fanbase.

Evidence of Erroneous Claims

Official statistics were presented to counter some of the figures cited by Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

  • ONS Data: The UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS) estimated the UK population at 69.5 million in November 2025, an increase from 67.1 million in 2020.

  • Net Migration Figures: The ONS estimated that the UK's long-term net migration was 204,000 from 2024 to 2025. Ratcliffe's comments appeared to allude to significantly higher numbers.

  • Article 1 (Sky News): "It is understood that the FA advised Sir Jim that he should remember his football responsibilities when taking part in media interviews."

  • Article 2 (Manchester Evening News): "Discussing immigration, Ratcliffe pointed to erroneous statistics."

  • Article 3 (Mirror): "the figures he produced in the interview with Sky News proving to be wide of the mark."

  • Article 4 (Independent): "Jim Ratcliffe will not be charged by FA for ‘colonised by immigrants’ comments."

  • Article 5 (BBC Sport): "sparked condemnation from the government and beyond."

  • Article 6 (The Guardian): "Ratcliffe, who issued a heavily qualified apology earlier on Thursday, could yet be on the receiving end of disciplinary action from the Football Association."

  • Article 7 (New York Times): "made multiple inflammatory and inaccurate observations about the United Kingdom’s immigrant population."

  • Article 8 (Express): "Prime Minister Keir Starmer spearheaded the political condemnation, branding the billionaire's language as 'offensive and wrong.'"

Conclusion and Future Outlook

The Football Association's decision to remind Sir Jim Ratcliffe of his responsibilities signifies the conclusion of their immediate review into his immigration comments. While no formal charges will be brought, the FA's advisory note underscores the expectation that individuals in prominent football roles should exercise care and awareness when making public statements. The incident highlights the ongoing scrutiny faced by high-profile figures and the need for Manchester United to navigate the public perception of its ownership. The long-term impact on Ratcliffe's relationship with the club's fanbase and his future public statements will likely continue to be observed.

Read More: Reform UK Candidate Wants to Review Public Unions Before May Elections

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Why did the FA look into Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments?
The FA reviewed comments made by Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe about immigration to see if they broke any football rules. They wanted to check if his words brought the game into disrepute.
Q: What did the FA decide about Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments?
The FA has finished its review and decided not to take any further disciplinary action against Sir Jim Ratcliffe. They have, however, reminded him to be mindful of his responsibilities as a figure in football when speaking to the media.
Q: What did Sir Jim Ratcliffe say about immigration?
Sir Jim Ratcliffe made comments about immigration and the UK population in a Sky News interview around February 12, 2026. He used some statistics that were later found to be incorrect, leading to public criticism.
Q: How did Manchester United respond to the controversy?
Manchester United released a statement after the comments were made, saying the club is committed to inclusive values. They did not directly mention Sir Jim Ratcliffe but reaffirmed their stance on diversity.
Q: What was the reaction to Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments?
The comments caused significant public and political debate. Prime Minister Keir Starmer called the language offensive, and other political figures and football groups also voiced their disapproval.
Q: Will Sir Jim Ratcliffe face any other punishment?
The FA will not take further action. However, the controversy has led to public discussion about his statements and his role as co-owner of Manchester United.