News

Nicki Minaj confirms date for rescheduled Manchester gig after Amsterdam arrest chaos

The saga is drawing to a close.

Emily Sergeant Emily Sergeant - 28th May 2024

Nicki Minaj has now finally confirmed the rescheduled date for her Manchester gig following her arrest in Amsterdam over the weekend.

In case you need bringing up to speed, the Trinidadian-born rapper and singer-songwriter was due to be flying from the Dutch capital over to Manchester this past Saturday (25 May) to perform a handful of sold-out shows at the city’s newest state-of-the-art arena, Co-op Live, as part of her ‘Pink Friday 2’ world tour.

But, in what was a chaotic and rapidly-developing saga, the 41-year-old was arrested at Amsterdam Schipol Airport after allegedly trying to take what was described as “soft drugs” into another country, according to Dutch Police.

Unsurprisingly, despite fans being let inside the arena and waiting several inside the brand-new premises hoping that Minaj would come on stage to perform, the Co-op Live, gig had to be called-off right at the last minute.

A statement from Co-op Live announcing the gig’s postponement on the night said: “Nicki Minaj’s scheduled performance at Manchester’s Co-op Live on Saturday 25th May has been postponed.

“Tickets will remain valid for the rescheduled performance which will be announced ASAP.

“Despite Nicki’s best efforts to explore every possible avenue to make tonight’s show happen, the events of today have made it impossible. We are deeply disappointed by the inconvenience this has caused. More information will be available at your point of purchase.”

The ‘Starships’ and ‘Anaconda’ singer was providing a live commentary of her arrest saga on her official social media platforms on Saturday night, and was very vocal on how her situation was being treated and handled by authorities, before eventually issuing a public apology to all fans who had travelled to see her in Manchester on the first night of her shows.

Nicki Minaj has confirmed the date for her rescheduled Manchester gig after Amsterdam arrest chaos / Credit: Nicki Minaj (via Facebook)

“Please please please accept my deepest and most sincere apologies,” Minaj wrote on X.

“[Dutch police] sure did know exactly how to hurt me today, but this too shall pass. They’ve been doing this over and over and over and over and over again, and I’ve tried so hard to not discuss it because you guys deserve to just get the good stuff. I hate involving you in anything that isn’t for entertainment purposes only.

“We will have another date for [the 25 May] show shortly, and I’ll probably be able to share it tomorrow.

“One July option and one June option is currently being discussed. I’ll find a way to not only make up the date with the performance, but I’m going to create an added bonus for everyone that had a ticket for this show. Promise.”

Minaj also expressed her gratitude to Co-op Live’s willingness to keep the venue’s doors open until past 11:30pm on the night, in the event that she may have been able to perform.

And now, following days of discussion to agree on the plan of action – and following ‘confirmation’ of an incorrect reschedule date, which was already booked for Kings of Leon – Minaj and Co-op Live have now officially confirmed the date for the rescheduled show.

The ill-fated 25 May show has now been rescheduled for next Monday (3 June 2024), it has been confirmed.

“OK guys, I was JUST RE-ADVISED that we actually CAN NOT do any other date for the make up #gagcityMANCHESTER date besides JUNE 3rd. So JUNE 3rd is the new official date for all ticket holders who originally had tickets to the MAY 25th Manchester show.

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“I apologize for all the inconvenience this has caused. I really hope you can make the #JUNE3rd show. It’ll be really special.

“Ticketmaster will contact you to advise officially. Love you.”

Featured Image – Nicki Minaj / Live Nation / Ticketmaster

News

Boxing great Ricky Hatton found dead at home, aged 46

Daisy Jackson Daisy Jackson Boxing great Ricky Hatton found dead at home, aged 46

Ricky Hatton has been found dead at his home in Tameside at the age of 46.

The Stockport-born boxing legend, often known as The Hitman, had just recently announced he was returning to the ring.

Ricky Hatton was set to come out of retirement for his first competitive fight in 13 long years this December.

A police cordon is around his home on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross, Hyde.

Greater Manchester Police say his death is not being treated as suspicious.

A GMP spokesperson said: “We can confirm that we have found a body at an address on Bowlacre Road in Gee Cross at 6.45am today, Sunday, September 14. The death is not being treated as suspicious.”

Ricky Hatton was one of the sport’s best-loved boxers and one of the greatest sportspeople to come out of Greater Manchester.

Hatton, who held an MBE, had been working as a promoter and trainer since retiring from the sport.

His illustrious boxing career spanned from 1997 to 2012, during which time he held multiple world championships.

Tributes are pouring in, with boxing magazine Boxing News writing: “We are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of British boxing royalty Ricky Hatton.

“A relentless pressure fighter and spiteful body puncher in the ring, Hatton was adored for his charisma and down-to-earth character outside of it.

“He will be sorely missed. Our thoughts are with his loved ones. Rest in peace, Ricky.”

Amir Khan posted: “Today we lost not only one of Britain’s greatest boxers, but a friend, a mentor, a warrior, Ricky Hatton.

“As fighters, we tell ourselves we’re strong — we train, we sweat, we take hits, we get up. But sometimes the hardest fight happens in silence, in the mind. Mental health isn’t weakness. It’s part of being human. And we must talk about it. We must reach out. We must lean on each other.

“Ricky, thank you for everything. For your fights, your moments of glory, your grit. Thank you for pushing us, showing us what’s possible. To everyone reading this: if you’re hurting or struggling, you are not alone. Talk. Reach out. Because we need more light, more compassion, more understanding.

“Rest well, Ricky. You’ll always have your place in the ring of our memories.”

Sacha Lord shared: “RIP Ricky Hatton. A gentle giant and absolute legend.”

Fellow pro boxer Anthony Fowler wrote: “Feel sick. RIP RICKY HATTON.”

And podcaster James English shared: “RIP Ricky Hatton.

“A true champion inside and outside the ring, Ricky’s grit, passion and courage will never be forgotten.

“Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who admired him during this heartbreaking time. Rest in peace, Ricky. Thank you for the memories.”

Read more: Everton are reportedly already hoping to sign Jack Grealish from Manchester City permanently

Featured image: Wikimedia Commons, Aeropixels Photography

News

Kalvin Phillips is reportedly set to be reintegrated into the Manchester City squad

Danny Jones Danny Jones Kalvin Phillips could be brought back into the Man City squad

Long-exiled Manchester City player Kalvin Phillips is reportedly on the verge of being reintegrated into Pep Guardiola’s squad this season.

The ex-Leeds United star, who signed for the Blues back in 2022, has still only made just 16 appearances for the club, but could now be eyeing up a potential renaissance.

Man City have made plenty of signings this year, but with a number of outgoings and several injuries in key positions, it looks like there could be an avenue for the one-time England international to fight his way back into the team.

As per Telegraph Sport‘s Mike McGrath, Kalvin Phillips is set to be reintroduced to City’s 25-man Premier League selection; the question is, can he make it into a first-team XI?

According to McGrath, Phillips will be “given a chance to resurrect his career at the Etihad Stadium” with the meat and potatoes of the 2025/26 campaign still yet to get properly underway.

Now 29, the Yorkshireman is well and truly within the crucial ‘prime’ years as an athlete, and after such an extended period on the sidelines, he’ll be more motivated than anyone to get his career back on track.

The central defensive midfielder – who was formerly considered a key cog in the middle of the park for Leeds – has spent two loan spells away from the Etihad, but neither really worked out for the undeniably talented footballer.

Having joined West Ham for the latter portion of the 23/24 term and spending the last 12 months on loan at struggling Ipswich Town, his time at both clubs was pretty forgettable, punctuated by little more than a couple of unfortunate red cards and more time on the bench.

Speaking to Sky Sports fairly recently, he confessed that the last couple of years have been very difficult and was visibly emotional discussing his struggles since moving to Man City.

It’s also worth noting that Guardiola himself has admitted to feeling “so bad” for Kalvin Phillips’ situation – perhaps why he now looks like he could be given a second chance.

CDM-wise, Rodri and Nico González are considered the go-to options, but Stockport-born Rico Lewis and  Mateo Kovačić have also been used in the role.

Once again, although Man City face somewhat of an injury crisis ahead of the Manchester derby this weekend, any prolonged absences could at least see an opportunity arise for the forgotten man.

What do you make of Kalvin Phillips’ chances of being restored to the Manchester City squad and maybe even putting himself back into national team contention ahead of the World Cup?

Manchester City said no to a pretty significant player swap with Liverpool last year
We often wonder what players’ futures would have looked like if they ended up picking different moves…

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Featured Images — Sky Sports (screenshot via YouTube)/pantkiewicz (via Flickr)

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