Kick It Out criticises FA response to Ratcliffe comments – report

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is back at the centre of a storm. The fallout has quickly spilled beyond football and into a much wider public debate. According to The Telegraph, The Football Association (FA) has been criticised by anti-discrimination organisation Kick It Out after it chose not to take formal action over Ratcliffe’s comments on immigration. The comments, made in a TV interview, quickly became the main talking point. The remarks included the phrase “colonised by immigrants.” The wording drew an immediate backlash because of its loaded history and political sting. For United, it is another off-pitch distraction arriving at a time when the club’s hierarchy has been under intense scrutiny for months. Kick It Out statement: Kick It Out is disappointed that Sir Jim Ratcliffe has not been given a stronger sanction for bringing the game into disrepute. When speaking in any capacity, he is still a representative and co-owner of Manchester United, which has a global following.… — Kick It Out (@kickitout) February 20, 2026 FA decision triggers fresh questions The decision not to punish Ratcliffe has sparked debate. Senior figures in the game are often treated as standard-bearers, whether they want this responsibility or not. When the governing body is seen to step back from acting, the dialogue shifts fast. Attention turns to what accountability should look like for powerful executives. This tension is heightened in football. Clubs sell themselves as community institutions while operating on a global commercial stage. United identity placed under the microscope United’s modern story is inseparable from its international reach. This includes a worldwide fanbase, squads shaped by players from many countries, and a brand built on openness. In this context, controversial language from a prominent co-owner does not land as a private opinion shared in isolation. It becomes part of the club’s public image, however determined the football side may be to keep focus on results. Supporters, meanwhile, tend to demand clarity. Many will want to know what the club stands for when a senior figure’s words dominate the news cycle. Ratcliffe’s importance at Old Trafford makes this unavoidable. As a leading decision-maker, he is not a background presence. The FA’s choice may close one avenue of response, but it does not close the wider discussion. For United, the immediate task is familiar. Keep the football moving forward while the noise off the pitch continues to chase them. Featured image by Justin Setterfield via Getty Images The Peoples Person has been one of the world’s leading Man United news sites for over a decade. Follow us on Bluesky: @peoplesperson.bsky.social Okari Wambunya Okari Wambunya is a football writer at The Peoples Person, covering Manchester United with fast, accurate, and source-led news, analysis, opinions, team developments, injuries, press conferences, and matchday reactions. A former secondary school teacher, he now coaches college football (not soccer) and continues to support young people through academic mentoring and youth work. He holds a BA (Hons) in English from Brunel University London and an MA in Education from King’s College London, with experience across digital journalism and broadcast sports media. Okari first praised Michael Carrick in a blog post he wrote at 16-years-old in 2014; over a decade later, United appointing Carrick as interim head coach feels like a full-circle moment.