FA to probe whether Ratcliffe brought game into disrepute over 'colonised' remark

The Football Association will examine whether Jim Ratcliffe brought the game into disrepute by saying the UK has been "colonised" by immigrants. The Manchester United co‑owner, a billionaire based in Monaco, provoked widespread anger and was urged by Keir Starmer to apologise.

The FA will review the matter before deciding if any rules were breached, and it is too early to say whether a formal investigation will follow. In an interview with Sky News Ratcliffe targeted people on state support and immigrants, saying: "You can’t afford … you can’t have an economy with 9 million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in," and "The UK is being colonised by immigrants, really, isn’t it?" He also cited incorrect figures concerning the UK’s population.

On Thursday Ratcliffe said he was sorry that his "choice of language has offended some people in the UK and Europe." Campaign groups and football bodies condemned the comments and their tone.

United Kingdom, Monaco

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