Pep Guardiola issues classy response to Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s controversial comments on UK immigration | OneFootball

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has provided a detailed verdict on the controversial comments of Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe on UK immigration.

The 73-year-old British billionaire received widespread criticism for commenting that the UK has been “colonised by immigrants” in an interview with Sky News earlier this week, subsequently apologising for his distasteful remarks that have also been condemned by UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

Manchester United have since doubled down on the club promoting inclusivity and diversity but given the stature of the club in England and its history, Ratcliffe’s comments have not gone down well in the wider football community.

On the other side of town, Manchester City will look to continue their charge for silverware on multiple fronts at the weekend as they welcome Salford City in the FA Cup fourth round after putting Exeter City to the sword in a 10-1 rout in the third round of the competition in January.

Pep Guardiola has made excellent use of his platform to voice support for innocent victims of war in recent weeks, drawing attention to the atrocities in Gaza, Sudan, Ukraine and the United States and empathising with those who have been affected in the war-torn regions.

Speaking in a press conference ahead of Saturday’s FA Cup meeting with Salford City, the Catalan was quizzed on Ratcliffe’s comments on UK immigration.

“I have a huge appreciation for Sir Jim (Ratcliffe), I was fortunate to meet him. I think he made a statement after, making an apology. I won’t comment on what Sir Jim Ratcliffe said because after, he said exactly what he wanted to say,” the 55-year-old said on Friday afternoon.

“But it’s all around the world the problems we have, immigrants or people coming from another country. They are problems our countries have, and it’s a big, big, big, big, big problem. The fact I am Catalan and you’re British – what influence we had where we were born? It was mum and dad, right?

“And we are born there, and I think everybody wants to have a better life, every people wants to have a perspective to have a better future for themselves, their families, friends or whatever, and sometimes opportunities come from the place you are born, and the place that maybe you go. And today, before it was so difficult to travel, in one hour you can be everywhere.

“The moment we start on colour of skin, or place where you’re born, doesn’t make a difference. We have a lot, a lot of work to do. The fact I’m Catalan, I’m better than you – no. My education where I was born, travelling in Mexico, living in Qatar, Italy, England, Germany – that’s just benefiting my personality.

“I grew up, met incredibly nice people, travelling and that’s what it’s about. But it doesn’t make me feel better just for the fact I was born in one place different to another. And most of the people run away from their countries for the problems they have in their countries, not because we want to leave.

“And as much as we embrace other cultures and embrace it truly, truly, we can be better – that will be a better society. I don’t have any doubts about that.”

Ratcliffe could suffer disciplinary action by the Football Association (FA) for his comments, with UK-based anti-racism charities such as Show Racism the Red Card describing the remarks as ‘disgraceful and deeply divisive’.