Sir has been extensively criticised for his , with the prime minister Sir Keir Starmer calling for the Manchester United co-owner to apologise.
The billionaire, who’s founder and chairman of one of many world’s largest chemical firms, Ineos, mentioned in an interview with Sky Information that “the UK has been colonised by immigrants” and politicians wanted to “do some troublesome issues with the UK to get it again on monitor”.
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It’s a uncommon public outburst from the traditionally low-profile Ratcliffe, who has put himself more and more within the public highlight in recent times together with his forays into the world of sport, the place his ventures embrace biking, crusing, F1 and soccer.
Ratcliffe has a 25 per cent share in after payingfrom the Glazer household, who of the membership, in December 2023. He has assumed at United and vowed to revive the membership to their former heights.
Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is dealing with criticism after his feedback (Nick Potts/PA) (PA Wire)
How did Ratcliffe make his cash?
Ratcliffe had a comparatively modest upbringing in Lancashire after which Yorkshire through the Nineteen Fifties and 60s earlier than learning on the College of Birmingham and London Enterprise Faculty, and made his fortune recovering struggling firms within the oil and gasoline sector.
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Politically, he’s passionately professional Brexit in addition to a powerful advocate for fracking, with Ineos poised to be one of many leaders ought to the UK’s shale gasoline business take off. He has courted controversy after not solely shifting himself to a tax haven in Monaco but additionally his firm’s headquarters, shifting Ineos to a brand new base in Switzerland in 2010 earlier than it returned to London 5 years later.
Ineos is likely one of the largest chemical firms on this planet, reporting revenues of €16.2bn (£12.6bn) in 2024.
What’s his web price?
Ratcliffe definitely has the funds to purchase a stake in Manchester United. Latest wealthy lists by Forbes, Bloomberg and The Occasions pitch his web price within the area of £9bn.
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What else does Ineos do in sport?
Ratcliffe owns Swiss Tremendous League membership FC Lausanne-Sport, the place his funding introduced in notable gamers together with Enzo Zidane, the son of Zinedine. However he angered followers by trying to revamp the historic membership’s badge to include components of Ineos branding, together with the petrochemical firm’s distinctive ‘O’ and its orange colors. The proposed emblem was scrapped after a backlash from supporters.
He additionally owns French membership Good, purchased for €100m.
Ineos additionally sponsors the Ineos Grenadiers biking crew (as soon as known as Group Sky) and has a main link-up with Mercedes in Method One, in addition to Ineos Group UK in crusing.
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A sponsorship of the All Blacks led to a dispute with New Zealand Rugby over contractual points when Ineos pulled out of the deal.
Ineos additionally stepped into the world of athletics, backing long-distance legend Eluid Kipchoge in his sub-two-hour marathon try.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe embraces marathon runner Eliud Kipchoge (AFP by way of Getty Photographs)
Didn’t he attempt to purchase Chelsea?
Sure, when the west London aspect was put up on the market by Russian oligarch Roman Abramovich, after he was sanctioned by the federal government as a consequence of the invasion of Ukraine and his hyperlinks to Vladimir Putin.
Ratcliffe’s last-gasp supply was price £4.25bn, together with £2.5bn for the preliminary buy and an extra £1.75bn throughout 10 years to fund enhancements to the stadium and crew, and his pitch was just like that made to Manchester United about making a “fan-centred” possession mannequin.
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“Our motives are merely to attempt to create a really superb membership in London,” Ratcliffe, who grew up on a council property in Manchester and supported United as a baby, mentioned on the time. “We have now no revenue motive as a result of we make our cash in different methods.”
However and he misplaced out to Todd Boehly and the Clearlake consortium who now personal the Blues.
How did he reach shopping for United?
When he was attempting to finish a full takeover of the membership, quite than simply the 25 per cent stake he ended up with, fan surveys urged Ratcliffe’s bid was the most well-liked of these events , which is smart given his hyperlinks with town and the membership from childhood.
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Regardless of his huge wealth, there have been fears Ratcliffe would discover himself blown out of the water by an strategy from Qatari banker Sheikh Jassim Bin Hamad Al Thani however , the Brit’s private strategy in the end outmanoeuvred the Qatari bid.
How is Ratcliffe’s Outdated Trafford reign going?
On the pitch, it’s has been powerful going for Manchester United since Ratcliffe took management of the membership’s soccer operations. They did win the FA Cup, however the messy departure of Erik ten Hag – who was backed with a brand new contract solely to be sacked quickly afterwards – was adopted by United’s worst season within the Premier League, ending 14th beneath new supervisor Ruben Amorim.
after a dramatic fallout with the hierarchy, most notably director of soccer Jason Wilcox, who was appointed by Ratcliffe amid widespread structural adjustments contained in the membership.
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These adjustments included a raft of controversial redundancies and different cost-cutting measures, regardless of persevering with to spend huge outlays on switch charges, participant wages and compensation charges for managers and employees. There has additionally been backlash from followers over ticket costs.
Nevertheless, to construct a state-of-the-art stadium to exchange the dilapidated Outdated Trafford have been largely properly acquired.
A billboard in Manchester takes purpose at Ratcliffe’s tax preparations (PA)
What did he say about immigration?
Ratcliffe gave an interview to Sky Information during which the 73-year-old defended “troublesome” choices taken at United since buying a stake within the membership two years in the past. Nevertheless it was his feedback about immigrants to Britain which stirred controversy – and a response from Starmer.
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“You may’t have an financial system with 9 million folks on advantages and big ranges of immigrants coming in,” he mentioned. “I imply, the UK is being colonised. It’s costing an excessive amount of cash. The UK has been colonised by immigrants.”
responded with a press release on X, saying: “Offensive and improper. Britain is a proud, tolerant and numerous nation. Jim Ratcliffe ought to apologise.”
The Larger Manchester mayor added stress, saying: “These feedback go in opposition to the whole lot for which Manchester has historically stood: a spot the place folks of all races and faiths have pulled collectively over centuries to construct our metropolis and our establishments – together with Manchester United FC.
“Calling for curbs on ranges of immigration is one factor, portraying those that come right here as a hostile invading drive is sort of one other. It’s inaccurate, insulting and inflammatory and ought to be withdrawn.”
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Manchester United Supporters Belief additionally voiced its concern about Ratcliffe’s claims on social media, saying: “Manchester United belongs to all of its supporters. No fan ought to really feel excluded from following or supporting the membership due to their race, faith, nationality or background. Feedback from the membership’s senior management ought to make inclusion simpler, not more durable.
“This isn’t about politics; it’s about guaranteeing that the custodians of Manchester United act in a approach that unites supporters quite than marginalising any a part of our fanbase.”