Manchester United’s Muslim supporters’ organisation has called for club co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe to leave after he criticised immigration levels and claimed the country was heading in the wrong direction.
Ratcliffe, the billionaire founder of petrochemical company Ineos and one of Britain’s wealthiest individuals, made the remarks during an interview on Saturday.
He argued that a combination of high taxation and extensive immigration was contributing to the UK’s decline.
Ratcliffe had previously apologised for causing offence after using language that suggested Britain had been taken over by immigrants.
United responded to those remarks in February by stressing that the club takes pride in its inclusive identity. People familiar with the Glazer family also indicated that the majority owners were appalled by his words and believed they showed little respect for their ownership.
In a statement expressing no confidence in the club’s ownership, the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club (MUMSC) said on Saturday that it had condemned his earlier comments.
The group said Ratcliffe later apologised for his wording, leading members to hope he had understood the impact of his remarks, but they now believe that was not the case.
MUMSC said Ratcliffe had once again presented immigration and benefit recipients as central causes of Britain’s difficulties, while claiming that no one was prepared to address those matters firmly enough.
The organisation described his latest statements as profoundly disappointing and entirely unacceptable.
Ratcliffe supported leaving the European Union during the 2016 referendum and has held tax residency in Monaco since 2020.
After purchasing a 27.7% share in Manchester United in 2024, he reorganised the club, supervised 450 job losses, reshaped its senior leadership and dismissed two managers.
MUMSC emphasised that United’s footballers, employees, stewards, security personnel and fans represent many nations, cultures, ethnic groups, faiths and social backgrounds.
It said those communities are essential to Manchester United and that the club’s diversity should be regarded as a defining strength rather than a weakness.
The supporters’ organisation also used its statement to demand the departure of the Glazer family.
According to MUMSC, its members were among those who believed Ratcliffe’s involvement could bring genuine reform after years of deterioration under the Glazers.
Instead, the group raised concerns about increased ticket costs, the worsening condition of the stadium and a team that continues to perform below the standards expected of Manchester United. It said its dissatisfaction now reaches far beyond results on the field.
United began the weekend in 13th place in the Premier League, having collected four points from their opening four matches. They had also exited the Carabao Cup on Wednesday following a 3-2 home loss to Brighton.
MUMSC concluded that years of deterioration, unfulfilled commitments and recurring failures had caused it to lose faith in Manchester United’s existing ownership structure.
The group said the situation could no longer continue, called for a change in leadership and demanded that both the Glazers and Sir Jim Ratcliffe leave the club.
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