The Football Association has spoken to Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to remind him of his responsibilities as a participant in English football, Sky News understands.
The intervention from football’s governing body follows Sir Jim’s comments about immigration.
The founder of the INEOS chemicals group told Sky News that Britain had been “colonised” by immigrants who were draining resources from the state.
It is understood that the FA advised Sir Jim that he should remember his football responsibilities when taking part in media interviews. However, he will not face further action from the governing body over his remarks.
Manchester United co-owner Jim Ratcliffe later apologised for the comments. Pic: AP
Sir Jim, one of Britain’s richest men but a resident of tax-free Monaco, had told Sky News: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in.
“I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money. The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?”
He later said he was “sorry that my choice of language has offended some people”.
The move had prompted condemnation from leading figures in football and politics.
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer called the comments “offensive and wrong” and urged the Man United co-owner to apologise.
He said in a post on X: “Britain is a proud, tolerant and diverse country.
“Jim Ratcliffe should apologise.”
Chancellor Rachel Reeves went a step further – calling the comments “disgusting”.
Ratcliffe later did apologise, saying: “I am sorry that my choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern.”
Some Man United supporters’ groups were unhappy with his apology, however.
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Preetam Singh of the Stretford Sikhs fans’ group said: “It was a very half-hearted apology, more of a justification of what he said.
“So I would expect, and I would hope, he and the club would maybe come out and make a statement with a proper apology.”
The Premier League club later made a statement distancing themselves from their co-owner’s comments.
They said Manchester is a city “anyone can call home”, adding the club boasts a “diverse group of players, staff and global community of supporters”.
Some came out in support of the comments, however.
Reform UK leader Nigel Farage said they were “correct” but had prompted a backlash because some people “aren’t quite ready for it”.
