Guardiola Responds to Ratcliffe’s Controversial Remarks on Immigration

omidbasir- MANCHESTER, England — Pep Guardiola has chosen not to directly address the remarks made by Sir Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigrants “colonising” the U.K., but he did convey that opinions similar to those expressed by the Manchester United co-owner constitute “a big, big problem.”

Ratcliffe has faced significant backlash for an interview with Sky News in which the British billionaire, who resides in Monaco, claimed that the “huge levels of immigrants” are straining the U.K. economy.

The comments have drawn criticism from various quarters, including Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Manchester United fan groups, and the anti-discrimination organization Kick It Out.

Following the uproar, Ratcliffe issued an apology for his “choice of language.”

While Guardiola recognized that Ratcliffe has since retracted some of his statements, he expressed concern over the notion that immigrants are viewed as a problem. “I have a huge appreciation for Sir Jim; I was fortunate to meet him,” Guardiola stated during a news conference on Friday. “He made a statement afterward to apologise. I will not comment on what Sir Jim Ratcliffe said, as he clarified his sentiments, but the idea that immigrants are the source of issues in our countries is problematic.”

Guardiola highlighted a pervasive global issue: “We treat immigrants or people from other countries as the cause of the challenges faced by our nations, and that is truly concerning.”

In an effort to mitigate the fallout from Ratcliffe’s comments, Manchester United released a statement affirming the club’s commitment to inclusivity and welcoming diversity.

Reports suggest that the FA is reviewing Ratcliffe’s interview; however, no formal investigation has been initiated as of yet.

Guardiola has been vocal in previous press conferences on various pressing topics, including the situations in Palestine and Sudan, as well as recent incidents involving federal agents in the U.S. He reiterated his stance on immigration, stating that “everyone seeks a better life and opportunities for themselves, their families, and their friends. Sometimes, such opportunities arise in places different from where one is born.”

He added, “Today, the color of one’s skin or place of birth should not matter. We have significant work to do in this regard. Most individuals fleeing their countries do so due to dire circumstances, not out of desire to leave. The more we embrace diverse cultures, genuinely and wholeheartedly, the better our society will become.”