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Soccer-'Proudly colonised by immigrants': Man Utd fans turn tables on Ratcliffe with banner
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on March 1, 2026
2 min readLast updated: March 1, 2026
Quick Summary
In response to Manchester United co‑owner Jim Ratcliffe’s comments that Britain had been “colonised by immigrants,” fans in the Stretford End unfurled a banner reading “MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants,” featuring iconic foreign players—celebrating diversity while the team staged a comeback win
Manchester United Fans Unfurl Immigrant Banner After Ratcliffe Comments
Fans Respond to Ratcliffe's Immigration Remarks
By Lori Ewing
Banner Display During Premier League Victory
MANCHESTER, March 1 (Reuters) - Manchester United supporters delivered a pointed response to minority owner Jim Ratcliffe's immigration comments, unfurling a banner celebrating the club's foreign players during Sunday's 2-1 Premier League victory over Crystal Palace.
Message Behind the Banner
The Stretford End displayed a banner reading "MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants" - a clever riposte to Ratcliffe's remark last month that Britain had been "colonised by immigrants".
Ratcliffe's Apology and Public Reaction
The billionaire has since apologised, saying he was sorry he had caused offence with his comments that even drew a rebuke from British Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
Celebrating Foreign Players at Manchester United
Tribute to International Stars
United fans showcased images of beloved foreign players past and present, including France's Eric Cantona and Patrice Evra, South Korean midfielder Park Ji-sung, Norway's Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, current captain Bruno Fernandes, Brazil's Casemiro and Ivorian Amad Diallo.
Impact on the Pitch
The banner proved apt as Fernandes helped inspire United's comeback win at Old Trafford, converting a penalty before the Portuguese midfielder provided an assist for Slovenian striker Benjamin Sesko's winning header.
Significance of the Victory
Premier League Standings and Fan Sentiment
The victory lifted United to third in the Premier League table, with their foreign players once again proving their worth on the pitch while fans made their feelings crystal clear in the stands.
(Reporting by Lori Ewing in Manchester and Rohith Nair in BengaluruEditing by Toby Davis)
Key Takeaways
- •Fans turned Ratcliffe’s controversial remark on its head, embracing the club’s multicultural legacy with a bold banner at Old Trafford. (thetimes.com)
- •The banner highlighted celebrated foreign players like Cantona, Fernandes, Park Ji‑sung, Solskjær, Casemiro, Patrice Evra and Amad Diallo—reinforcing the club’s identity as global and diverse. (itv.com)
- •On the field, Bruno Fernandes ignited United’s comeback—scoring a penalty and assisting Benjamin Sesko’s header—to secure a vital 2‑1 win and propel the club to third place in the Premier League. (thetimes.com)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Soccer-'Proudly colonised by immigrants': Man Utd fans turn tables on Ratcliffe with banner
1What did the Manchester United fan banner say?
The banner read 'MUFC proudly colonised by immigrants' in response to Jim Ratcliffe's immigration comments.
2Why did Manchester United fans display the immigrant banner?
Fans displayed the banner to celebrate the club's foreign players and respond to recent comments by minority owner Jim Ratcliffe regarding immigration.
3Which Manchester United players were featured on the banner?
The banner showcased past and present foreign players including Eric Cantona, Patrice Evra, Park Ji-sung, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, and Amad Diallo.
4How did Jim Ratcliffe respond to the controversy over his comments?
Jim Ratcliffe apologized, saying he was sorry for causing offense with his comments about Britain being 'colonised by immigrants.'
5What was the match outcome when the banner was displayed?
Manchester United won 2-1 against Crystal Palace, with Bruno Fernandes playing a key role in the victory.
