INEOS accused of imprisoning staff

INEOS are facing fresh allegations after claims that staff were imprisoned during a legal dispute involving Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe.

Ratcliffe has endured a turbulent year across several sporting projects.

In January, United dismissed Ruben Amorim after a difficult 14-month spell as head coach.

Michael Carrick later guided the club back into the Champions League.

The INEOS chief has also faced criticism away from football.

Earlier this year, the FA reminded Ratcliffe of his responsibilities after his comments about immigration.

Manchester United supporters have also regularly unveiled protests against him at Old Trafford.

INEOS respond to imprisonment claims

According to The Telegraph, the allegations come from an ongoing High Court battle between INEOS and Sir Ben Ainslie’s Athena Racing team.

Athena claims an INEOS employee arrived at its Buckinghamshire headquarters in January 2025 and padlocked the main entrance while Ainslie and several members of staff remained inside.

The filing also alleges that “No entry” signs were attached to the doors. Ainslie and chief financial officer Matt Robinson reportedly left the building through a fire escape.

INEOS strongly rejects the allegations.

The company’s lawyers say their representative did not know anybody was inside the building when he locked the doors. They also argue that people could still leave through other exits, meaning nobody was actually imprisoned.

The latest court response follows another allegation that surfaced last month. Court documents claimed Sir Ben Ainslie was told Ratcliffe would “burn his house down” unless he handed over his team’s assets and intellectual property.

INEOS also denies that allegation. The company disputes the timing of the meeting and insists references to a “scorched earth” policy were figurative rather than threatening.

Both sides continue to reject the other’s version of events as the High Court case moves forward.