Manchester City

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola on Sir Jim Ratcliffe, who recently made comments suggesting the UK had become ‘colonised’ by immigrants.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe has since apologised for ‘offending some people’ but maintained an ‘open debate’ on the matter was needed:

“I have a huge appreciation for Sir Jim. I was fortunate to meet him.

“I think he made a statement and afterwards apologised. I will not comment on what Sir Jim Ratcliffe said because after that – all around the world it is a problem that we have – all around the countries.

“We treat immigrant people and other people that come from other countries – that is a problem that our countries have. It is a big big big problem because the fact that I am Catalan and you are British – what influence we had when we were born was mum and dad, right? That’s why we were born there.

“Everybody wants to have a better life. Every person wants to have a perspective to have a better future for themselves, for their families or their friends. Sometimes opportunities come in the place that you were born and the place that you go. Today before it was so difficult to travel but today in one hour you can be everywhere.

“That is why the place you were born doesn’t make a difference. The moment we start, we have a lot of work to do about that. Does it make me feel like I am better than you because I am Catalan? No.

“My education when I was born, when I travel in Mexico, live in Qatar, live in Italy, live in England or Germany – that is just the benefit of my personality and how I grew up. I met incredible nice people travelling and that is what it is about but don’t make me feel bad just for the fact I was born in one place and different from the other.

“Most people run away from their countries for the problems that are in their country, not because they want to leave.

“The more we embrace other cultures, truly embrace it, then we will have a better society – I do not have any doubts about that.”

Read more on the Sir Jim Ratcliffe comments here.