Manchester United has spoken out to condemn fans for “offensive” chants about the Hillsborough disaster at Anfield.
The two North West rivals faced each other in a Premier League clash at Liverpool’s home ground Anfield on Tuesday evening, and while many headlines were initially grabbed by the emotional seventh-minute tribute by both sets of fans for Cristiano Ronaldo’s newborn son, who tragically passed away, the Manchester club has now had to release a statement addressing supporters’ actions later in the game.
During the match, some Manchester United fans said to have been observed chanting songs aimed at the Hillsborough tragedy, to which the club has deemed “completely unacceptable”.
A statement released by the club addressing the situation reads: “Manchester United stands in solidarity with Liverpool and its fans in remembering the victims of the Hillsborough disaster [and] offensive chants about the tragedy are completely unacceptable.
“We will work with our supporters’ groups to educate fans on the issue.”
97 Liverpool fans tragically lost their lives on 15 April 1989 during a crush at Hillsborough Stadium / Credit: Liverpool FC
The statement released by Manchester United followed what was the 33rd anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster – which saw 97 Liverpool fans lose their lives on 15 April 1989 as a result of a crush on the Leppings Lane terrace during an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, at the Sheffield stadium.
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The Hillsborough disaster is known as one of the worst sporting disasters in UK history, and an inquest later ruled that the supporters were unlawfully killed.
Manchester United’s condemning of offensive chants aimed at the Hillsborough disaster come after cross-city rivals Manchester City also had to issue an apology last Saturday after a small section of its fans disturbed a minute’s silence marking the 33rd anniversary of the tragic event during their FA Cup semi-final against Liverpool at Wembley.
“Manchester City are extremely disappointed with the actions of some City supporters during the minute’s silence before today’s game,” a statement by the club read.
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“The club sincerely apologises to all those connected with Liverpool Football Club.”
We stand with @LFC in remembering the 97 victims of the Hillsborough disaster, 33 years on from that fateful day.
Sending our thoughts and sympathy to the @LFC football family and all those affected on the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster 💙 https://t.co/N0cGeriW2s
Apologies made by both Manchester clubs also come after Mayor of Greater Manchester Andy Burnham, and Liverpool City Mayor Steve Rotheram, wrote a letter to MPs last week urging them to back the proposed ‘Hillsborough Law’ on the eve of the disaster’s anniversary.
The pair first joined forces at the start of 2022 to back the law that calls for a “fundamental reform” and seeks to support the families of the 97 Liverpool fans who lost their lives, but last week renewed their calls for fairer treatment for those bereaved, and called for changes to the justice system to prevent others going through the same “unnecessary trauma” endured by Hillsborough families.
Exciting new CGIs released of £500m Therme Manchester wellness resort as construction continues
Emily Sergeant
As construction continues on Manchester’s massive wellness resort, some new CGIs have now been released.
In case you need bringing up to speed, construction of the £500 million Therme Manchester wellness resort officially began last September after several years of planning, and now developers have released some exciting new CGIs – with an update on how construction is going, as a new milestone has been reached this week.
Set to open to the public in 2029, Therme Manchester will become one of the largest urban wellbeing resorts in the world.
Visitors can expect to make the most of a 10 pools – both lagoon and wave pools included – thermal bathing, multi-sensory sauna rituals, steam rooms, 18 water slides, affordably-priced luxury spa therapies, and health and fitness experiences.
Exciting new CGIs released of Therme Manchester have been released / Credit: Supplied
At the heart of Therme Manchester will be three distinct zones, each offering a different way to spend time at the resort.
Play will bring together water-based fun and attractions for families and visitors of all ages, and Restore will focus on thermal bathing and restorative experiences designed to help visitors unwind, while Relax will offer spaces for relaxation and wellbeing.
The latest CGIs showcase the design as it develops – including the resort’s extensive indoor and outdoor spaces, and its 53,000sq ft wellbeing garden.
Construction is still underway on the £500m wellness resort / Credit: Supplied
The plans also feature a new public plaza designed to strengthen connections between the resort and the Bridgewater Canal.
Professor David Russell, CEO of Therme UK, said: “We have taken the opportunity to refine the design, improve how traffic and parking are managed and create a more welcoming environment for everyone arriving at the resort.
“We are creating an even better experience for visitors while supporting more efficient and sustainable operations.”
Therme Manchester was initially touted as a £250m project that would complete in 2025, but it’s now up to £500m and is scheduled to complete it 2029.
It marks one of the most significant building developments to ever take place in the North.
Featured Image – Supplied
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All students in England to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE
Emily Sergeant
All students in England are soon to be offered the chance to do a new Ukrainian GCSE.
Said to be part of the UK’s ‘enduring support’ for the Ukrainian community and continued commitment to stand with Ukraine and its people, young people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland will now have the opportunity to study for a new Ukrainian GCSE, the Government has announced.
While the qualification will be open to all students, it marks a ‘particularly significant’ milestone for Ukrainian children and young people living in the UK.
It’s hoped that the introduction of the new GCSE will help Ukrainians to preserve a vital connection to their language, culture, and identity.
It’s also hoped that it’ll open pathways to future education and employment for all pupils.
In line with the other modern foreign language GCSEs that are currently on offer, the qualification will assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing skills, while also recognising the cultural and historical contexts that shape the Ukrainian language.
Examination board AQA will now begin the next phase of development, bringing together language and subject experts to design what will be a ‘high-quality’ qualification reflecting the richness of Ukrainian language and culture.
Education Secretary, Lucy Powell, commented: “As they build their lives here in the UK, it is right that Ukrainians and their children should have every opportunity to maintain that connection to their heritage and to be proud of who they are.
“This new qualification is available to all pupils and will give them the chance to develop their language skills and celebrate Ukraine’s rich culture and history, while also opening pathways to future study and employment and strengthening our partnership with Ukraine.
“Through that enduring partnership, we are building the lasting ties between our countries that will see the young minds of the future move forward together, and foster connections that transcend borders.”
The Ukrainian GCSE is expected to be available for first teaching from September 2028 – with first assessments taking place in 2029.
Emily Sergeant -
21st April 2022 
