Man Utd fans have say on Ratcliffe's immigration claims

Manchester United fans have had their say over owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe's comments that the UK had been "colonised by immigrants".

While some some said they agreed with the billionaire's sentiments, others said that, as the owner of a team with foreign players, he was a hypocrite.

Ratcliffe's comments, made an interview with Sky News, were quickly condemned by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Greater Manchester metro mayor Andy Burnham.

Ratcliffe has since apologised for his "choice of language".

Sage Coulter, 30, from Florida, has been a Manchester United fan for the last 13 years.

She said she was particularly affected by Ratcliffe's "inappropriate" and "hypocritical" comments as an American citizen who moved to the UK after her British husband was deported by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

"It's sad to see that that is happening over here," Sage said. "Immigrants are important."

"[Ratcliffe] lives in Monaco and doesn't pay UK taxes, so I mean, it's a bit ironic and hypocritical," Sage added.

"It's all very hypocritical.

"How many immigrants play for United and other clubs?

"You're wearing these shirts of immigrants that are coming in that are playing for your squad, but then you want to sit there and you don't want them actually in your country."

Asif Mahmud, co-founder of The Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club, told the BBC that the comments "fuel far-right rhetoric".

"Our worry is that comments... give strength and power to those that have similar opinions and that can manifest itself into sometimes violence," Asif said.

"There has been a spike in Islamophobic and antisemitic incidents.

"I'm sure it wasn't intended - but unfortunately a consequence of those types of statements are that they give power to people who might act out and lash out.

"And that's where we feel we need to have a leadership that is at one with the club and at one with the supporter base."

The club's Old Trafford stadium attracts visits from foreign tourists, many of whom were unaware of Radcliffe's initial remarks.

But one Portuguese fan, who had come to the UK to visit the stadium, told the BBC he agreed with the billionaire businessman.

"Immigration is a big problem in Europe," he said.

Another man at the stadium, who didn't want to be identified, said: "I don't agree with him - he earns millions and lives in Monaco.

"But I can understand in some points because I find it really heartbreaking when I walk in Manchester and see English people homeless on the street yet they're putting people just jumped off a boat in a hotel.

"You should be open to your own people first - yeah they made bad life decisions - but it's not on."

A third visitor to the stadium said, "It's free speech - so long as it's not illegal."

One woman told the BBC Ratcliffe had "hit the nail on the head" with his comments.

"I come from an extremely diverse area of Manchester and me and my friends have been speaking about it and I don't know what he was thinking making comments like that," Paul Coleman, 22, from Moston, said.

"It's honestly quite inconceivable really for the owner of a club with the stature of United - with all the players fans from all around the world - to be saying things like that.

Following Ratcliffe's comments, Manchester United has said it "prides itself on being an inclusive and welcoming club".

In a statement posted to its website Manchester United said: "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.

"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. They are reflected in our policies but also in our culture and are reinforced by our holding of the Premier League's Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Standard."