What if Jim Ratcliffe became the first club owner to be fired? We’re joking of course, but his comments made two days ago on immigration, which according to him would have “colonized the United Kingdom», do not pass at all at Manchester United. Keir Starmer’s Labor government even denounced the billionaire’s statements, who quickly tried to qualify, saying he regretted that the choice of his “words have offended some people in the UK and Europe», while confirming the substance of his thoughts. “It is important to raise the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration that supports economic growth“.
The damage is done and well done. Within the Red Devils community, he was already not in the odor of holiness. He didn’t help his case. The club’s internal organization has dissociated itself from its boss to recall the values of Manchester United since its creation. “Our diverse team, made up of players, staff and supporters from around the world, reflects the history and heritage of Manchester, a city where everyone feels at home“, underlined the press release, citing a number of inclusive initiatives “covering mental health, the inclusion of LGBTQ+ people, the fight against racism, violence against women and girls and homophobic chants“.
The locker room is shocked
According to the Daily Mailthis statement from the club required several hours of reflection. It was a delicate balancing act between the different parties involved. The various associations attached to MU also condemned Ratcliffe’s comments, while even inside the locker room, which includes 17 different nationalities, the owner did not help his case. Sources close to some players say they were horrified by such statements. It was not at all well received, explains a first informant, while a second even goes so far as to put it down to the advanced age (73 years) of a wealthy businessman completely disconnected from all reality.
Some players also highlight a “double standards“. In other words, Ratcliffe risks less sanction from the FA than the players in the game themselves, if they had made similar comments. It has not escaped them either that the boss of INEOS is domiciled in Monaco, where there are no income taxes for foreign residents, while they pay a large contribution to the English state… thanks to their employer’s money. The next public statement from Michael Carrick and the members of the locker room is particularly awaited, especially since the interim coach has always been perceived as a man of principles, who is doubted whether he shares the billionaire’s opinion.
