‘INEOS have destroyed everything Man United stands for, Jim Ratcliffe is a disgrace’
INEOS have been no strangers to controversy since completing their partial purchase of Man United and continue to bring the club into disrepute.
Early decisions to part with hundreds of staff, raise ticket prices and defund charity work, supposedly in the name of a financial crisis which never came to be, have added up.
Now, Sir Jim Ratcliffe has put the club under the spotlight once again with his inflammatory comments about immigration which have quickly been challenged.
Former Man United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider that Ratcliffe’s claim that the UK is being “colonised by immigrants” is a “disgrace” and goes against everything the club stands for.
United, alongside their Premier League counterparts and clubs throughout Britain, have greatly benefited from immigration throughout their history and still do.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s comments labeled a ‘disgrace’ at Man United
Brown warned Football Insider last year that Man United fans could turn on INEOS as a result of ongoing controversies and protests outside Old Trafford.
Ratcliffe’s comments have now stoked that fire once again, with many associated with the club left appalled and offended by the part-owner’s ignorant remarks.
“I’ve made my feelings on the hierarchy at Man United clear,” Brown told Football Insider.
“Since then, I’ve seen no evidence to make me change my mind, and I can’t think of a decision or statement they’ve made which has been positive for the club.
“These latest comments are damaging to the club, not just because of the controversy around it, but also because of what Man United means as an institution.
“INEOS have destroyed everything Man United stands for, it’s not just these comments, it’s the decision to sack hundreds of staff, to raise ticket prices and all of that.
“Ratcliffe said in an interview before that the club could have gone bust without those decisions, while at the same time spending hundreds of millions on players.
“This one is nothing short of a disgrace, it’s beyond belief on many grounds, not just politically but when you consider all of the ‘immigrants’ who make this club and other clubs across Britain what they are. It’s ignorant and completely out of line.
“In the position that he is in, to come out with a statement like that, I can’t believe it. The players and staff are trying their best to get Man United back to the top, I cannot say the same for INEOS.”
- Read more: Ratcliffe is facing a £100m takeover blow.
FA to issue Ratcliffe with letter after what he said
Ratcliffe’s comments have not left the headlines since he took the unwise decision to air his political beliefs in public, with many speaking out against him.
Former PGMOL chief Keith Hackett told Football Insider that the FA will write a letter to Ratcliffe amid an ongoing investigation into his comments.
The FA are already looking into the incidents, in order to judge whether his remarks are discriminatory or bring the game into disrepute, according to The Times.
Meanwhile, Ratcliffe’s comments have been condemned by the Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, who has labelled the remarks as “inaccurate and inflammatory”.
Burnham called for the Old Trafford chief to withdraw his statements, and while Ratcliffe has issued an apology on Thursday, it will be far from the end of the matter.
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