The club’s co-owner was widely criticized for saying Britain was being “colonized by immigrants”, only to issue a half-hearted apology.
Jim Ratcliffe apologizes for ‘choice of words’ while discussing British immigration in TV interview (Image: Getty Images)
First of all, to be strictly fair. If you were to compile a list of billionaire football club owners who hold or have held objectionable views on any subject, the list would be as long as Manchester City’s Premier League indictment.
Few characters are known for their humanitarianism, socialism, compassion, and total selflessness. Granted, this is a broad generalization, but those types of people tend not to become millionaire football club owners.
And in fairness, it would be even more prudent, if deeply unpleasant, to admit that Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s beliefs are likely to be shared by some Manchester United supporters. Let’s face it, there is a part of our society that believes that Britain was “colonized by immigrants”, no matter how lame apologies from Jim in Monaco.
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We know what that section of society is like – Ratcliffe’s views were praised by Tommy Robinson on social media. That’s enough.
But then again, it would be naive to confidently suggest that petrochemical tax avoiders are the only ones among club owners who hold such dismal views about the inclusiveness of civilized society. But Ratcliffe has transformed himself.
Despite owning less than 30 per cent of Manchester United, he has made himself something of a figurehead for the club. He became a representative of one of the most respected, admired (even if begrudgingly) and inclusive organizations in not only the history of professional football, but the history of professional sports.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe appears to be trying to make himself as unpopular as the Glazers (Image: PA)
And will he come out with this? It’s embarrassing at best. At worst, it’s embarrassing.
Is this what United stands for? The backlash to his comments on immigration has been surprisingly intense, with some of the most influential and fierce backlash coming from United supporters groups.
And the backlash shouldn’t be limited to just his “colonized” comments. The big red flag for Manchester United fans is his self-serving declaration that things are improving at Old Trafford.
Michael Carrick won four of his first five games since Ruben Amorim was sacked (Image: Offside via Getty Images)
Despite the team’s improved form, protests against ownership continue at Old Trafford (Image: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Offside via Getty Images)
When Ratcliffe took over, United were still playing in the FA Cup and were aiming for success at Wembley. Two years later, they were eliminated in the third round.
This improving and talented side could re-establish themselves as an elite force in the domestic and European competition under the guidance of the impressive Michael Carrick. And Mr. Ratcliffe’s recent unpleasant comments may be forgotten by many.
But they are not allowed. I can’t imagine him being the kind of person this great club should have. United fans deserved more than Ratcliffe, after years of having to endure the abhorrent Glazers.
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