Sir Keir Starmer has labelled comments about immigration made by billionaire Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe as “offensive and wrong”.

Sir Jim, founder of one of the world’s largest chemical companies, Ineos, told Sky News on Wednesday the UK had been “colonised by immigrants” and suggested the prime minister was “too nice” to do “difficult things” to stabilise the country’s economy.

Sir Keir responded by saying Britain was “a proud, tolerant and diverse country” and called on Sir Jim to apologise.

A Downing Street spokesperson said the comments “play into the hands of those who want to divide our country”.

The BBC has approached Ineos and Manchester United for comment.

On Wednesday, Sir Jim told the broadcaster: “You can’t have an economy with nine million people on benefits and huge levels of immigrants coming in. I mean, the UK has been colonised. It’s costing too much money.”

“The UK has been colonised by immigrants, really, hasn’t it?” he added.

Sir Jim cited incorrect figures to back up his claim, telling Sky: “I mean, the population of the UK was 58 million in 2020, now it’s 70 million. That’s 12 million people.”

According to the Office for National Statistics, the estimate for the UK’s population in mid-2025 was 69.4 million, compared with 66.7 million in mid-2020.

Sir Jim made the comments during an interview with Sky News’ economic editor Ed Conway, on the fringes of the European Industry Summit in Antwerp, Belgium.

The remarks were condemned by various fans groups, including the Manchester United Supporters Trust, which said on X: “No fan should feel excluded from following or supporting the club because of their race, religion, nationality or background. Comments from the club’s senior leadership should make inclusion easier, not harder.

“This is not about politics; it is about ensuring that the custodians of Manchester United act in a way that unites supporters rather than marginalising any part of our fanbase.”

Manchester United Muslim Supporters Club said the remark “echoes language frequently used in far-right narratives that frame migrants as invaders and demographic threats”.

Its co-founder and club secretary Asif Mahmud told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme: “We appreciate there are legitimate debates around immigration and illegal immigration but using words like [colonisation], they just stoke the flames.

“We didn’t expect that from the co-owner of Manchester United.”

Show Racism the Red Card said the cultural influence held by football clubs “should be used to challenge racism, not inadvertently amplify narratives that undermine community harmony”, while Kick It Out said the comments were “disgraceful and deeply divisive”.

The 1958 Group of Manchester United supporters described the comments as “very ill-advised”, and criticised Sir Jim for “commenting on the issues of our country while living in Monaco to avoid paying tax”.

Sir Jim has restructured United since acquiring a 27.7% stake in 2024, making 450 redundancies, overhauling senior management and sacking two managers.

The 73-year-old likened the job of running the country to his stewardship of Manchester United, saying politicians needed to be “prepared to be unpopular for a period of time to get the big issues sorted out”.

He told Sky News that although some of his decisions had been unpopular, he had had to make them “to get the big issues sorted out”.

“If you do difficult things, which we felt that we had to do at Manchester United… we felt like they were the right things to do. But you do become very unpopular for a while,” said Sir Jim.

He added: “But you’ve got all the same issues with the country. If you really want to deal with the major issues of immigration, with people opting to take benefits rather than working for a living, if you want to deal with that, then you’re going to have to do some things which are unpopular, and show some courage.”

Speaking about the prime minister, Sir Jim said: “It’s a tough job, and I think you have to do some difficult things with the UK to get it back on track.”

Sir Jim said he had met Reform UK leader Nigel Farage recently, and described him as an “intelligent man” with “good intentions”, but added that “in a way, you could say exactly the same about Keir when Keir came in”.

“I think it needs somebody who’s prepared to be unpopular for a period of time to get the big issues sorted out,” he added.

In response to Sir Keir’s condemnation of the comments, Farage said on X: “Britain has undergone unprecedented mass immigration that has changed the character of many areas in our country.

“Labour may try to ignore that but Reform won’t.”

Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey described Sir Jim’s comments as “totally wrong” and “totally out of step with British values”, also calling on him to apologise.

Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham said the comments “go against everything for which Manchester has traditionally stood”.

According to the Sunday Times’ Rich List, Sir Jim, who was a Leave campaigner in the run-up to the Brexit referendum, was the 7th richest person in the UK in 2025, with a net worth of about £17bn.

He reportedly moved from the UK to Monaco in 2020, a place that does not collect personal income tax or capital gains taxes.

Ineos’ raw materials are used in everything from packaging for toiletries, medicines and food, to mobile phones and furniture.

In recent years, Sir Jim’s business interests have moved away from chemicals, including a discontinued plan to build a new vehicle based on the Land Rover Defender, as well as Ineos’ purchase of luxury motorcycle wear brand Belstaff.

When Trent Alexander-Arnold came off the bench in Real Madrid’s 2-0 win against Valencia last weekend, there was much anticipation around the former Liverpool right-back’s return.

After another two months on the sideline, Real supporters had seen very little of the England defender this season.

Since joining the Spanish side in June 2025, he has been limited to just 17 appearances in all competitions.

Two separate injuries have disrupted his rhythm and denied him the sustained run of games needed to build momentum and a connection with supporters.

The relationship he built with Xabi Alonso became redundant when the manager was sacked after less than eight months in charge.

Now though, he is fit again and the timing feels significant. The season is entering its decisive stretch and Alexander-Arnold has the opportunity to reassert himself.

How did this season begin?

After a strong Club World Cup, where he started five of Madrid’s six matches, Alexander-Arnold began the 2025–26 season sharing right-back duties with Dani Carvajal.

Spanish media praised his early performances, noting he “showcased his trademark ability to drift inside from full-back”.

But his campaign was soon disrupted. A hamstring injury in Madrid’s opening Champions League game in September put him out for seven weeks and was described by local media as “a blow to Trent’s new chapter”.

His comeback in November felt particularly poignant as he faced his former club Liverpool at Anfield.

He subsequently made five more appearances, with Spanish newspaper AS suggesting that “the initial criticism [of Alexander-Arnold] revealed a lack of understanding of the footballing ability the England international has always possessed”.

Momentum was building and fans were beginning to see the benefits of their star signing, but a thigh injury against Athletic Club in December left him injured and recovering for another two months.

The 27-year-old admitted he was “absolutely gutted”.

That setback kept him out for 14 matches, until his long-awaited return last weekend.

Reaction to his return

Despite only playing for the final 15 minutes of the match, Alexander-Arnold’s return was met with largely positive reaction from supporters.

On social media, the Madridistas didn’t hold back:

“Trent Alexander-Arnold’s minutes against Valencia felt like a prime performance. Our style of play even changed!”

“Trent Alexander-Arnold completely changed the game when he came on. Does he deserve to start every match?”

“His passes are so satisfying. Football has missed him.”

The brief but impressive appearance has raised expectations, especially with the first leg of Real Madrid’s Champions League knockout tie against Benfica looming next week.

Yet head coach Alvaro Arbeloa was quick to manage the excitement, emphasising that full recovery remains the priority.

“After being out for a long time, we are taking the same approach with him as with others returning from injury,” said Arbeloa.

“We are proceeding cautiously and calmly because what we want is for him to find his rhythm, his best playing form. That’s how it will be with Trent.”

It was the first time Arbeloa had publicly addressed Alexander-Arnold, and the comments put to rest earlier rumours suggesting he might not feature in his long-term plans – speculation that Real Madrid had carefully shielded the England international from.

This was a clear signal that Alexander-Arnold remains central to the club’s long-term vision. And, as a former Liverpool and Real Madrid right-back himself, Arbeloa may be uniquely placed to help strengthen their relationship off the pitch.

Where will he fit in?

With Federico Valverde moving back into a central midfield role following Jude Bellingham’s recent injury, Real Madrid’s right-back picture has shifted, opening the door for Alexander-Arnold to feature more prominently in that position against Benfica and beyond.

Arbeloa now has all his options available on that flank: captain Dani Carvajal, Alexander-Arnold (who played ahead of Carvajal against Valencia), Valverde as an emergency option, and academy player David Jimenez, who started in Valencia.

Carvajal’s season has been equally frustrating, having battled a series of injuries as well as knee surgery.

Despite now being fit and available, he has barely played any minutes under Arbeloa. In fact, his last start was in September. It’s a complex situation given his contract expires in the summer and there appears to have been little progress in renewing it.

That context places Alexander-Arnold in a strong position to become Madrid’s leading option at right-back once fully fit, with Valverde still available as an emergency alternative and Jimenez also impressing when called upon.

Whether Alexander-Arnold will be eased back into the starting XI as he builds fitness, or whether he will leap straight into a key role, given the significance of upcoming fixtures, remains to be seen as Arbeloa manages the reintegration.

World Cup hopes alive?

It would be fair to say that, at this stage of the season, Alexander-Arnold’s chances of making England’s squad for this summer’s World Cup appear slim, with his limited minutes at club level the most obvious reason.

International selection is usually built on form and fitness, and the England coaching staff are likely to prioritise players who are consistently competing at the highest level.

He has not had the chance to demonstrate the consistency required to challenge for a place.

He was omitted from Thomas Tuchel’s World Cup qualifying squad in August, with the England coach saying: “There’s no doubt I’m a big fan of Trent, for his talent and his personality. But for this call-up, I’ve gone with Reece James and Tino Livramento.

“I know he wanted to be here, which is very important. I just chose others due to competition.”

Even if Alexander‑Arnold delivers spectacular performances for Real Madrid over the coming weeks, the competition for the England right-back position remains strong.

With Tuchel preparing to finalise his squad for friendly matches against Uruguay and Japan on 27 and 31 March respectively, selections are likely to prioritise players who have been performing consistently week in, week out.

Still, as Tuchel himself emphasised: “He’s a great player who will always be in contention.”

Ukrainian skeleton pilot Vladyslav Heraskevych has been banned from competing at the Winter Olympics for continuing to wear a helmet which features images of athletes killed during Russia’s invasion of his home country.

Heraskevych, who wore the helmet in all of his training runs before the competition began on Thursday, was told by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) on Tuesday it “does not comply” with the Olympic charter and said he was not allowed to wear it.

But on Wednesday he again wore the helmet to official training and told BBC Sport he believed he “has all the rights” to wear it.

IOC president Kirsty Coventry visited the 26-year-old at Cortina’s sliding track before the first skeleton heat on Thursday and the IOC said Heraskevych “did not consider any form of compromise”.

In a statement, the IOC added: “The IOC was very keen for Mr Heraskevych to compete. This is why the IOC sat down with him to look for the most respectful way to address his desire to remember his fellow athletes who have lost their lives following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.”

The IOC had said Heraskevych could pay tribute to the fallen athletes by wearing a black armband during competition and could show his helmet in mixed zones, news conferences and on social media but that “the field of play is sacrosanct”.

They had expressed a desire for him to stop wearing the helmet, saying they would “beg” – as they wanted him to compete.

Rule 50.2 of the Olympic Charter states: “No kind of demonstration or political, religious or racial propaganda is permitted in any Olympic sites, venues or other areas.”

But Heraskevych believes his tribute is no different to those that other athletes have displayed – such as figure skater Maxim Naumov, who held up a photo of his parents, who were among 67 people killed in a plane crash in Washington DC, while waiting for his score to be announced on Tuesday.

Based on his training times, Heraskevych was a potential outside chance for a medal.

But the IOC said the decision to “withdraw his accreditation” was “taken by the jury of the International Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (IBSF) based on the fact that the helmet he intended to wear was not compliant with the rules”.

The IOC added that athletes are able to “express grief with dignity and respect” at multi-faith centres in the Olympic villages.

It also pointed out that Heraskevych has been “supported by the IOC for the last three editions of the Games” and that he is an Olympic scholarship athlete.

“Following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the IOC also set up a solidarity fund for Ukrainian sport to support the athletes’ preparations for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games,” it added.

Heraskevych said that many of those pictured on his helmet were athletes, including teenage weightlifter Alina Peregudova, boxer Pavlo Ishchenko and ice hockey player Oleksiy Loginov, and some of them were his friends.

Iga Swiatek came from a set down to defeat Daria Kasatkina on Wednesday and keep her bid for a fourth Qatar Open title alive, as Elena Rybakina also reached the quarter-finals.

The world number two recovered to beat Russian-born Australian Kasatkina 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 and set up a tie with Greece’s Maria Sakkari.

Swiatek, who won the WTA 1000 tournament in 2022, 2023 and 2024, had breezed through her last six meetings with Kasatkina without dropping a set but blew a 5-3 lead to lose the opener.

The six-time Grand Slam champion quickly regrouped, though, racing through the next two sets with six breaks of serve.

“It wasn’t an easy match,” said Swiatek. “She used the slower surface here and she was going for it more compared to (our) last matches.

“But you never know if it was her just doing that from the beginning, or me giving her more chances.

“But for sure I felt like I could do sometimes more in the first set.”

Swiatek remains on course for a possible rematch with Australian Open champion Rybakina in the final after the Kazakh’s win in their quarter-final clash at Melbourne Park last month.

– Rybakina downs Zheng –

Rybakina also had to battle back to defeat China’s Zheng Qinwen 4-6, 6-2, 7-5 and end the former world number four’s first tournament of the year.

Zheng, the 2024 Australian Open runner-up, was playing only her second event since undergoing elbow surgery last July but proved her fitness with three-set wins over Sofia Kenin and Alycia Parks in the previous two rounds.

She produced an excellent first set, losing just four points on serve and taking it with a single break in the fifth game.

But Rybakina was much improved in the second, breaking serve twice to force a decider.

The world number three continued her momentum into the third set, racing into a 5-2 lead.

Rybakina, without a WTA 1000 title since the 2023 Italian Open, missed a match point in the next game and was then broken while serving for the match.

But Zheng faltered from 40-0 up when serving to push the set into a tie-break, allowing Rybakina to secure a Thursday quarter-final against Victoria Mboko with a rasping backhand.

“In the second I found a bit of my game and I stepped in,” said Rybakina. “In the third… one break and everything changed.

“But I’m happy that in the end it went my way.”

Canada’s Mboko won the battle of the teenagers by saving a match point to knock out fifth seed Mirra Andreeva in a deciding-set tie-break.

The 19-year-old Mboko saved the match point on the Andreeva serve late in the third set before sealing a 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (7/5) success.

“I feel like I came out with some very clutch shots at the end,” said Mboko, who defeated Rybakina in the semi-finals en route to the Canadian Open title last year.

“I think we both were pretty tired when it came to the tie-break. I think I felt like I was lucky enough to have some good shots in the great moments.”

Jelena Ostapenko, last year’s runner-up, saw off Colombian Camila Osorio 6-3, 6-1 to set up a last-eight tie with Elisabetta Cocciaretto.

Italian lucky loser Cocciaretto backed up her second-round win over Coco Gauff by beating Ann Li 7-6 (7/5), 5-7, 6-4.

Czech Karolina Muchova also reached the quarters when compatriot and former world number one Karolina Pliskova retired injured from their last-16 match when trailing 5-2 in the first set.

Muchova will play Anna Kalinskaya on Thursday after the Russian defeated Australian Open semi-finalist Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-3.

Sakkari defeated France’s Varvara Gracheva 7-6 (7/3), 6-0 in the opening tie of the day.