Manchester nightclub Cruz 101 has launched an investigation after a member of its staff shared a racist meme about Mason Greenwood.
The Princess Street gay nightclub stressed in a statement that it ‘does not condone any form of racism’.
In a now-deleted post, the person in question shared a meme comparing Manchester United’s Greenwood to George Floyd, alongside a caption that read: “Monkey see, monkey do.”
Greenwood, 20, was arrested on suspicion of rape and assault on Sunday and has since been released on bail.
After screenshots were shared on Twitter, the post has been labelled ‘abhorrent’ and ‘disgraceful’.
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Cruz 101 in Manchester’s Gay Village / Credit: Google Maps
One person said: “Bigotry has no place in our community, and all Black and non-Black POC should feel safe in LGBTQ+ venues.”
The staff member behind the post has now shared an apology, writing: “Last night, I posted an image that has caused serious offence to some of you on Instagram. For this I humbly apologise.
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“I was upset at the events covering this person – memories of what happened to me many years ago came flooding back – and I posted the image without any thought about what it could mean to some people.
“To those I replied to after the posting this I also apologise as I saw red and, as is my usual want, fired back without thought of how I’d offended you too.
“I now completely understand the meme I posted was racist. This wasn’t how I saw it at the time but having read people’s comments I now understand the offensiveness of what I posted.
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“I can only apologise for this, it’s a mistake I never thought I would make. I realise now how badly I’ve hurt some people and I fully regret it. There is no excuse, but I do not have a racist bone in my body and this would never have been posted if I wasn’t in such a state.
“I hope you will accept my humble apology and I will, in future count to ten before posting in response to something that had brought painful memories.”
The racist meme about Mason Greenwood has since be deleted / Credit: Manchester United
Cruz 101 wrote last night: “We are aware of the situation that is currently circulating on social media. Cruz 101 does not condone any form of racism, we are looking into this immediately and will provide a further update as soon as possible.”
They later added: “Further to our earlier statement we reiterate that we do not condone racist language or behaviour, and can confirm our investigation is continuing with assistance from our external HR consultants.
“A member of staff has been suspended to assist with the investigation and no further comment will be made during this process. Whilst we appreciate everyone’s frustration there is a process we must follow.”
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Since the comments were shared on Instagram, well-known drag artist and Britain’s Got Talent semi-finalist Danny Beard, who is due to perform at Cruz 101 this weekend, has posted their own statement on Twitter.
They wrote: “I have personally challenged and tried to open up conversations with said person (as did many others) only for them to try and gaslight. And spin an alternative narrative.
“I’ve spoken with Cruz 101 with regards to the posts as the matter couldn’t be delt with via the individual involved. And like all of you. I’m now waiting on a response from the venue on what will happen moving forwards.
“I’m hoping that we’ll see some positive action coming from this.
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“And more importantly some acceptance and understanding that what was posted was wrong. Racist. And unwelcome in our safe spaces.”
RuPaul’s Drag Race star Divina de Campo wrote: “The investigation for this would take all of 5 minutes. Has he written racist stuff on line? Yep. Is it damaging the business? Yep. Gross misconduct thanks ta-ra. Tada!”
Featured Image – Google Maps
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Glamorous new Salford restaurant speaks out as controversial resident parrot is rehomed
Daisy Jackson
A new riverside restaurant and shisha lounge has addressed the live parrot that was living in the middle of the restaurant.
Gardens Lounge in Salford opened last week, bringing Mediterranean dining to the banks of the River Irwell, just across the water from Manchester city centre.
But among those admiring the stylish decor were many issuing an outcry over Rio, a beautiful blue macaw displayed in a glass box at the heart of the restaurant.
A loud online campaign, Free Rio, was launched this week, including a petition that’s gained more than 10,000 signatures, which described his conditions as ‘suffering’.
The petition said: “Rio is a highly intelligent, wild animal who is being kept in wholly inadequate conditions. He is being used as a prop and décor to attract customers, this is not an appropriate or acceptable use of a living, sentient being.
“His current conditions cause us serious concern: His cage is entirely unsuitable for a macaw of his size and needs. He has no room to fly. He has nowhere to hide or retreat from the loud music and flashing lights he is subjected to for hours on en
“Macaws are highly social animals who mate for life and live in large family groups, Rio has no mate, no companionship, and no ability to express any natural behaviour whatsoever.
The restaurant has since been working closely with those campaigners – Protect the Wild and Vegan Manchester – and has made the decision to rehome Rio the parrot, saying that the bird has always been ‘a much-loved member of the Garden Lounge’s family’.
Gardens said that the parrot’s welfare has always been ‘of the utmost importance’ and stressed that his living conditions have been fully assessed and approved by the RSPCA.
In their full statement, Gardens said: “The welfare of Rio has always been of the utmost importance to everyone at Garden’s Lounge Manchester.
“Throughout his time with us, his health, wellbeing and environment have been thoroughly monitored and fully assessed and approved by the RSPCA.
The cage that housed Rio the parrot visible from the front door of the Salford restaurantGardens Lounge in Salford is open now
“Following extensive discussions and careful consideration, including conversations with members of the Manchester community whose views we greatly respect, we have made the decision to relocate Rio to a sanctuary environment, where he will have the opportunity to fly freely while continuing to receive specialist care and attention.
“Rio has been, and always will be, a much-loved member of the Garden’s Lounge family, and this decision has been made with his best interests at heart.
“We are proud of the love and care he has received over the years and are grateful to everyone who has shown him such affection and support.
“We look forward to welcoming everyone back to Garden’s Lounge Manchester soon and thank our customers, friends and the wider community for their continued support.”
The ITV hype video for the 2026 World Cup has just done that – let’s make some memories
Danny Jones
We’ll admit, much like with Qatar ’22, there have been a few things about this upcoming World Cup that have made it harder to get in the mood than usual, but we must confess: ITV’s new opening titles for the 2026 edition have got us well and truly HYPED.
It’s funny what a quick little montage and some feel-good music can do.
Let’s face it, there are a lot of things about modern football we don’t like, and there are always going to be criticisms of FIFA and how they handle major tournaments, especially when it comes to the biggest international fixtures of them all.
Sadly, a lot of this is out of our control, but what we can do is our bit as supporters and get behind the boys; with trailers like this, it’s hard not to get yourself up for it…
How well you remember the customary title sequences for each tournament is usually a good barometer.
We have a feeling that this one is going to stick out in the memories of not just the kids enjoying maybe some of their first real major tournaments, but plenty of us adults, too.
The reaction online has been largely positive too, with popular football social media account, The 44, writing: “Oh my god! ITV have smashed it. Better or just as good as 2014”.
Another went on to say, “[It’s] mental how this one minute and nineteen second video has just made me incredibly excited for the World Cup. ITV know how to do an intro, don’t they?”
Furthermore, a third added: “Great intro. And FIFA might’ve messed everything up with 48 teams instead of 32 and blown it on ticket prices, but once the World Cup kicks off, there’s nothing like it.
With fewer fans being able to travel or even begin to remotely afford flying out for just one game, let alone the whole month, it’s great to see Manchester setting up big screens like these.
All that being said, there has, of course, still been lots of backlash over how hosting the World Cup in North America has been handled in general thus far.
Be it the plight of scammers, exorbitant ticket prices, punters and even referees being denied entry to the country due to President Trump’s travel sanctions, or the general political state over in the US, it’s far from a perfect year for ‘the beautiful game’ and its biggest competition.
However, it’s worth reminding that nations like Mexico have as strong an obsession with football as anyone on the planet, and Canada is clearly relishing the opportunity to host matches in Toronto and Vancouver, where footy is still their largest sport overall.
We expect there will still be plenty of protests and demonstrations, not to mention fairly public messages and statements up around the stadiums in the cities involved, no doubt, but one thing we can make sure of is that England will back the Three Lions both up in the stands and back here at home.
Those clips seen in the ITV video serve as yet another undeniable reminder that there is simply nothing like cheering on your country on the big stage, so make sure you lock down where to watch the World Cup in Manchester soon, and don’t miss a second of the action. It’s coming home.
Daisy Jackson -
2nd February 2022 
