Maro Itoje gives blunt verdict on controversial Sir Jim Ratcliffe comments and how he’s dealing with mother’s death
England skipper Maro Itoje and Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe (inset).
England captain Maro Itoje has disagreed with Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s recent remarks about immigration.
In the build-up to the Red Rose’s eagerly anticipated Six Nations clash with Scotland at Murrayfield, Itoje was asked for his opinion regarding Ratcliffe’s controversial comments.
Ratcliffe, who owns his stake in Premier League giants Manchester United through his company Ineos, claimed during a Sky News interview earlier this week that Great Britain had been “colonised by immigrants”.
The billionaire has subsequently apologised for “offending some people” with his language but added that an “open debate” on the matter was needed.
Ratcliffe’s remarks have received plenty of criticism with Prime Minister Keir Starmer saying his comments were “offensive and wrong” and now Itoje has also voiced his dissatisfaction.
‘That’s inaccurate and the wrong thing to say’
“I disagree with the terminology and sentiments of what he said,” Itoje told the BBC. “I do not believe that Great Britain has been colonised by immigrants. I think that’s inaccurate and the wrong thing to say.
“I sit before you as a man who was born in north London, a very proud Londoner, very proud to have this English identity, very proud to play for England and to captain England.
“It’s one of my greatest accomplishments and, regardless of what I do for the rest of my life, this will be up there with one of the best things that has ever happened to me.
“But I’m also of Nigerian descent, and I’m equally as proud of that heritage as well.
“I just think it was very clumsy wording and the figures he was talking about were factually inaccurate as well.
“I have read that he has apologised for his comments, and I think it is admirable when people realise they’ve messed up and apologise. So, I commend him for doing that.”
Meanwhile, Itoje returns to England’s run-on side after starting amongst the replacements during their Six Nations opener against Wales at Allianz Stadium Twickenham which they won 48-7.
This, after he travelled to Nigeria to attend the funeral of his mother Florence, who passed away in December.
‘I’m OK and taking each day as it comes’
“It’s been incredibly sad, incredibly emotional, but, all in all, I’m OK and taking each day as it comes,” revealed Itoje.
“Those couple of weeks were just a bit of a whirlwind, going to Nigeria.
“My family are from Delta State [a region in the south of Nigeria] so we had to catch another flight from Lagos to Warri, then we drove to the town where my family originate from.
“It was deeply emotional. It was very sad. But at the same time, it felt peaceful. It felt that it was the right thing to do to take my mother back to her ancestral home.”
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Itoje said being involved in England’s Six Nations preparations has helped him to deal with the loss of his mother.
“She will be sorely missed,” said the 31-year-old.
“Being back with the team was probably the best thing that could have happened.
“Going straight into this environment with players I know so well and players who’ve been so supportive and welcoming and understanding, as well as the coaches and backroom staff.
“All of them have been great.”
