Manchester United is one of Greater Manchester’s most prominent institutions, supported by people from diverse nationalities, faiths and backgrounds. Its recognised faith-based groups include the Manchester United Muslim Supporters’ Club, the Manchester United Jewish Supporters’ Club and Stretford Sikhs. Each should be valued and treated equally.
We are concerned by Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s repeated comments linking Britain’s difficulties to immigration and people receiving benefits, including his statement that the country had been “colonised by immigrants.” As a co-owner and leading representative of Manchester United, his words carry weight. They have drawn the club into divisive political controversy and risk damaging its reputation as an inclusive institution.
Reform UK has since used Sir Jim’s “colonised by immigrants” remarks in a promotional video posted by Nigel Farage. INEOS has stated that Sir Jim did not authorise this use. Nevertheless, the episode demonstrates how such language can be adopted for party-political campaigning and draw Manchester United further into a polarising national debate.
MUMSC is entitled to respond to Sir Jim’s comments and express concerns about the club’s leadership and direction. Muslim supporters have the same rights as every other recognised supporters’ group: to organise collectively, scrutinise the club’s owners and participate in discussions about its future.
MUMSC has also made a positive contribution by helping to develop an additional multi-faith room, organising fan-led iftars at Old Trafford and undertaking charitable fundraising. Its work demonstrates how faith-based supporters’ groups can serve their members, bring people together and contribute to the wider community.
FMO supports MUMSC’s right to issue its statement and speak on behalf of its members. People may disagree with its position on Manchester United’s ownership. That is legitimate debate. Anti-Muslim hostility, personal intimidation, abuse directed at migrants and attempts to delegitimise Muslim supporters are not.
On 22 September, The Telegraph published a column entitled, “Why do Man Utd have a Muslim supporters’ group?” It questioned MUMSC’s purpose and used Islamic beliefs and practices as material for ridicule. Manchester United’s recognised Jewish and Sikh supporters’ clubs were not subjected to equivalent scrutiny. The Football Supporters’ Association has also criticised the article and defended the place of faith-based groups within football.
We call upon Manchester United Football Club to:
- Reaffirm that anti-Muslim hatred, racism and abuse directed at migrants have no place within the club or its supporter community.
- Defend the right of MUMSC and all recognised supporters’ groups to express legitimate criticism without intimidation or retaliation.
- Respond appropriately where MUMSC or its members face targeted hostility, threats or harassment.
- Continue engaging constructively with MUMSC and support all recognised faith-based supporters’ groups equally.
- Reaffirm the club’s independence from party-political campaigning.
Manchester United’s strength comes from the diversity, loyalty and shared commitment of its supporters. Its leadership must uphold the values of respect, inclusion and belonging that the club has publicly embraced.