Salford City FC have issued a statement expressing their disappointment with Yorkshire Police and the force’s final decision regarding a racist incident earlier this year.
Local authorities in the region opened an investigation into allegations of racism and verbal abuse during a pre-season game between Salford and York City FC back in July.
Now, just over a month later, North Yorkshire Police have concluded their investigation and decided not to pursue charges against the accused individual – an outcome that SCFC have not taken lightly.
Issuing an extensive and frustrated response online, they wrote: “Salford City Football Club is extremely disappointed with the findings of the investigation by North Yorkshire Police (NYP), and the subsequent decision not to charge the individual responsible for the racist abuse aimed at Adebola Oluwo.”
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“It is particularly concerning how the investigation concludes that there is no evidence to corroborate the report of abuse, despite a number of first-hand accounts of the abuse from those present at the fixture.
“This includes [by] the match officials, who we know, through discussions with the Professional Game Match Officials (PGMO), gave verbal statements on the night and provided their details for the investigating team to follow up, but have not been contacted.”
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Oluwo signed for Salford this summer from Barnet FC on a two-year deal, but sadly faced racist abuse before his debut season with the club had even begun.
The 25-year-old explained how “monkey noises” were made in his direction; sitting down with various other senior figures from within the club and around the administration, he and the likes of head coach Karl Robinson made it clear that this kind of treatment is simply unacceptable.
We urge you to watch this in full.
The club statement continues: “Having spoken with Adebola and sought further advice on the matter, including legal, we will be exercising the Victims’ Right to Review Scheme to request an independent review to reconsider this outcome.
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“Our players, coaching staff, members and everybody at our Club stand united with Adebola, and we have also engaged the English Football League (EFL), the Professional Footballers ‘ Association (the players’ union), and Kick It Out, who have all offered their full and unequivocal support for the review application.
“The match officials, supported by their governing body PGMO, remain available to be contacted to provide their impartial accounts of events that evening. We will pursue every available avenue to ensure accountability, and together send a clear message that racism has no place in our sport.”
SCFC sign off by insisting that they will be adding no further comment, but supporters, both local and beyond, have certainly had plenty to say online.
York City themselves made it clear at the time that everyone assosciated with the fellow Northern side categorically “condemns racism in all forms” and assured they would cooperate with Salford and the police service on the investigation.
York City Football Club are horrified to learn of allegations of racial abuse aimed at Salford City players in this evening’s pre-season match.
Both clubs, alongside the match officials, decided to take both teams off the pitch at that time.
While it is distressing to learn that NYP won’t be proceeding with the hate crime that was so openly and emotionally acknowledged by both teams, ‘The Minstermen’ did reiterate that the 23-year-old arrested at the time “will face the strongest possible sanctions from the club.”
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In terms of the update from ‘The Ammies’, one user replied: “North Yorkshire police? Failure to bring charges? Suggesting [a] lack of evidence? Nooooooo, never. They don’t seem the type.”
Another added: “Was this case referred to the CPS [Crown Prosecution Service], who decided not to charge; or did North Yorkshire Police not refer it to them for a decision? Tough to know who to be p***ed-off with until that is clear.”
We can only echo the post shared by Salford City FC and stress how disheartening it is to still see situations like this arising. It also goes without saying that we send our support to Adebola Oluwo and everyone at the club during this difficult time.
Not only is ‘the beautiful game’ for everyone, but the only way we can ever even hope for racism to be completely kicked out of football is for decisive, consistent and punitive action to be taken in moments like this and more often, as we know the number of incidents that occur is far higher than those reported.
Featured Images — Emessem T/Salford City FC (screenshot via YouTube)
Sport
Bury FC manager steps down just two days after appointment following major backlash over history
Danny Jones
In case you missed the news over the weekend, Bury FC manager Michael Jolley stepped down just two days after joining the club following major backlash to his appointment.
The uproar and almost immediate U-turn came in response to his past conviction.
After learning of his history, the club were met with a significant amount of stick from Bury fans and other football supporters, leading Jolley himself to quickly resign. Confirming the outcome by mutual decision, the club revealed his departure on Sunday afternoon.
Bury Football Club can confirm that Michael Jolley has today been relieved of his duties as First Team Manager by mutual consent.
Sharing an official statement, The Shakers wrote: “The Board recognises the strength of feeling expressed in recent days by supporters, staff, partners and players, and the very real impact the Board’s decision to appoint Michael has had on individuals connected to the Club…
“We will also be engaging directly with players, staff and stakeholders to listen, learn and ensure that appropriate support is available. Our immediate priority is the welfare of our people and the stability of the Club and our community.
“We believe this step is necessary to help restore confidence, create space for reflection, and allow Bury FC to move forward in a way that reflects our values and responsibilities.
“Bury Football Club remains committed to acting with integrity, transparency and respect. Further updates will be shared when appropriate.”
Confirming that the assistant manager, Tim Lees (who helped lead the side to a 2-1 victory over Mossley AFC at home this weekend), will be leading the team as interim head coach for the time being, they also noted that Jolley insists he didn’t want his signing to place unwanted attention on the club.
Wishing them the best in their search for the next man to take them forward, and believe they have a “special connection” with their local community.
Jolley states he made higher-ups aware of his past conviction before being interviewed for the job, as he explains in a lengthy statement of his own, which was released before Bury’s own announcement.
Following a period of reflection, I have decided to relinquish the opportunity to become the Manager of Bury FC. Full statement attached. pic.twitter.com/bAHekBfnb5
Addressing the situation on social media, the Sheffield-born former Grimsby and Barrow boss said: ‘After a period of reflection over the weekend, it has become apparent that my appointment at Bury FC has become a distraction for the club and so I have decided to relinquish the opportunity to become first team manager…
“Additionally, I welcome the fact that every investigation into the incident, whether through the legal process, or the subsequent investigations by the UK government, The FA, all established through evidence that I was deceived and at no time did I act maliciously.
“All three organisations concluded that there was no evidence which should prevent me from continuing my career, and that is what I have done, periodically, since that time. I consider safeguarding a critical aspect of coaching and have always delivered safe practice 100% of the time throughout my career.”
As he explains in the full document, “16 and a half years later, [his] CRB check has long since shown as clear, but in the interests of transparency and openness”, he still ensures any prospective employers are made aware of the case.
He goes on to say that he has become used to the abuse inside stadiums and online, given the nature of football fan culture, but now that he has a young family, he makes it clear that they are a key factor in the decision as he looks to prioritise their safety and wellbeing before his own.
The local outfit is once again looking for a new steward to steer them back in the right direction and, hopefully, away from any more intrigue and/or controversy. A return to the EFL still seems a way off, but who would you like to see installed as the gaffer at Gigg Lane, Shakers?
Brits are petitioning to give ‘SIR’ Kevin Sinfield the knighthood he deserves
Danny Jones
An impassioned Brit, along with nearly 100,000 others, are championing a petition to give a Greater Manchester sporting role model a knighthood.
The UK is long overdue for a SIR Kevin Sinfield, if you ask us.
Yes, now five years after his first remarkable charity challenge in the form of his inaugural ‘seven in seven’ ultra-marathon, our very own Kevin Sinfield officially completed his sixth edition of the fundraising feat earlier this month.
Having now raised more than £1.2 million for the Motor Neurone Disease Association (MNDA) in memory of his friend and former late, great, Leeds Rhinos teammate, Rob Burrow – and that just this year alone.
👏 An outstanding achievement!
🏃 Kevin Sinfield CBE completed his latest 7 in 7: Together Challenge this afternoon, raising over £1.1 Million for @mndassoc!
To take into account every penny he’s helped generate for the crucial neurological cause, he’s helped welcome in excess of £11 million since he started this tributary journey nearly six whole years ago.
Sinfield has become nothing short of a national hero over the last few years, and the people think it’s about time he is recognised with the highest honour.
The Oldham-born native has already been given a trio of notable awards, including an MBE, OBE and CBE, which also means he doesn’t technically qualify to be considered for a knighthood until 2027 at the very earliest.
However, the petition’s creator, Mel Handforth, believes that an exception should be made and the “arcane” rules around the New Year’s Honours should be changed to allow Sinfield (and, indeed, others) to be celebrated more promptly.
Even the Speaker for the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, is one of many to have argued for the stipulation to be scrapped.
Despite countless calls for him to be included in the most recent list, which saw the likes of David Beckham finally made a knight, he was overlooked due to the three-year gap protocol.
He also somehow missed out on being shortlisted for this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards, though you can guarantee he would have plenty of votes from the general public – especially here in the region and, indeed, over in his adopted second home of Yorkshire.
You can see who did make it onto this year’s list down below.
The same happened again at the Pride of Britain a year later, and the retired rugby league player turned union coach was also handed an honorary degree by the University of Leeds in July 2024, just a month after Burrow sadly passed away.
But Sinfield has quite literally had the backing of millions to be made ‘Sir Kevin’ for well over half a decade now; we made him our ‘Manc of the Month’ back in November ’22, and our stance on him being given a knighthood is even clearer now than it was back then.
As Handforth writes in the bio of the Change.org petition: “The words ‘legend’ and ‘hero’ are often handed out, but Kevin Sinfield truly embodies them both. He’s not doing this for recognition – he’s doing it because he cares deeply about the MND community and honouring his friend Rob’s legacy.
“Let’s show Kevin that his nation stands with him. Sign this petition to urge the Honours Committee to recognise Sir Kevin Sinfield for his remarkable service to humanity.”
If you agree, you can sign the petition to make him Sir Kevin Sinfield right HERE.
Danny Jones -
24th September 2025 
