Sir Rathcliffe apologized to the Glazers, narrowly preventing Manchester United from losing a £900 million sponsorship deal! A gag order has been issued.

Manchester United had no matches in the past two weeks, but owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe embroiled the club in a political storm. Sir Ratcliffe claimed that the UK has been colonized by immigrants and that immigration costs too much, which sparked widespread condemnation. Many mocked him, saying his data was inaccurate, and pointed out that since 2020, Sir Ratcliffe himself has been living in Monaco to avoid taxes, so he has no right to criticize others.

UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer publicly condemned the Manchester United owner’s remarks as rude and wrong. Starmer described the UK as a proud, tolerant, and diverse nation and demanded an apology from Sir Ratcliffe. Not only Starmer, but Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham, Liberal Democrat leader Ed Davey, and Manchester United fan groups, including the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust and the Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club, also condemned him.

Some people supported Sir Ratcliffe’s view, believing he might be correct. However, that is irrelevant because being right does not justify inappropriate speech. More importantly, for Manchester United, Sir Ratcliffe’s risky public stance is purely harmful. Especially regarding the new stadium project, his comments could lose public support and sponsorship funding, potentially jeopardizing the £2 billion, 100,000-seat stadium plan.

By Thursday noon, Sir Ratcliffe was forced to issue a public apology. “I am sorry if my choice of words offended some people in the UK and Europe and caused concern,” he said. “But raising the issue of controlled and well-managed immigration to support economic growth is important.”

That afternoon, Manchester United also released a statement, which did not mention Sir Ratcliffe but emphasized: “Manchester United prides itself on being an inclusive and passionate club... Our diverse players, staff, and global fanbase reflect Manchester’s history and traditions, a city that anyone can call home.”

There was also significant internal opposition within Manchester United to Sir Ratcliffe’s remarks. Before the club decided to issue a statement, many staff members had already expressed concerns. Manchester United naturally denied this, but it is certain that Sir Ratcliffe’s words and actions are unlikely to help the club maintain or expand partnerships. The team’s training kit and next season’s sleeve sponsor have yet to be confirmed.

Manchester United’s image and reputation have been seriously damaged due to Sir Ratcliffe. Rumors suggest that if he had not apologized, Adidas might have canceled the £900 million sponsorship deal, which was set to start this season and run until 2035. Therefore, Sir Ratcliffe’s apology was an inevitable outcome; he had no choice but to do so.

The Manchester Evening News reported that Sir Ratcliffe also apologized to Manchester United’s Glazer family, explaining his comments. The Glazers were very worried about the negative backlash from Sir Ratcliffe’s remarks, which could affect Manchester United’s future relationships with sponsors and business partners.

The Glazer family has also been affected; Manchester Mayor Burnham sarcastically criticized them, saying that rather than criticizing immigrants, they should look at the Glazers themselves, who have not invested a penny since acquiring Manchester United but have taken up to £1 billion in dividends and debt interest.

Sir Ratcliffe was once considered a relatively low-profile figure, but lately, he has been outspoken and stubborn on various matters. After all, wealthy people often feel entitled to do as they please. Now, INEOS has issued a gag order on Sir Ratcliffe, canceling his future interview arrangements.

The Manchester United owner does not invest in politics; he does support the Labour Party but does not rule out cooperating with other factions. Sir Ratcliffe and INEOS benefit from the current UK government’s support. Maintaining good relations with authorities is crucial for the progress of the new stadium project.

Manchester United plans to build a new stadium near Old Trafford. The club needs to purchase land currently used as a rail freight terminal, and negotiations have not yet been finalized. This requires Mayor Burnham’s assistance. The Glazer family is also eager for the new stadium project to proceed, as it would increase Manchester United’s valuation.