Ratcliffe avoids FA charge over immigration comments

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe will not be charged by the Football Association over a controversial interview in which he claimed the United Kingdom had been “colonised by immigrants”.

The governing body has issued him with a reminder of his responsibilities as a participant in English football when taking part in media interviews.

However, the FA will not be taking any further action. It had been examining whether the comments had brought the game into disrepute.

The comments were widely condemned, including by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and all United’s leading supporter groups.

Earlier on Friday, Manchester United interim boss Michael Carrick said he was “proud of what the club stands for” at a pre-match news conference.

“I’m proud of what the club stands for and has done for so long,” said Carrick. “I’m really aware of that.

“Sir Jim made his statement and the club made a statement on the back of it. It is not my place to add to that.

“What I can say is that I have been around this club many years.

“Equality and diversity and respect for each other is something we look to carry through every day.

“I have travelled the world and know what this club means to an awful lot of people.

“I am fully aware of the responsibility, and we try to carry that out every day. I am proud of what the club stands for and has done for so long.”

Carrick, who has been installed as head coach for the remainder of the season after Ruben Amorim’s dismissal, wore a distinctive green Unite for Access badge.

The organisation aims to raise awareness and “drive equality for a more inclusive matchday experience for disabled sports fans”.

“I think part of being at this club is that we understand what it’s like globally and the responsibilities we have within this,” Carrick added.

“I can only speak from my personal experiences of being here for a long time with various managers, with various staff.

As a player, Carrick was part of a multi-cultural dressing room.

Former United manager Sir Alex Ferguson highlighted that diversity as a key weapon in his side’s success.

Now Carrick has to manage a group drawn from 16 countries.

In addition, across the women’s and youth teams there are players from as far afield as Mali and Japan.

He is confident Ratcliffe’s comment will not undermine unity at a time when United are pushing for Champions League qualification – something that appeared unlikely a couple of months ago.

“We have a really strong group. Whether that is the players in and around the dressing room, the staff and around the club, and outside of the club,” Carrick said.