SAN FRANCISCO, May 15, (THEWILL) – A bomb scare at Old Trafford, the home ground of Manchester United FC, on Sunday, has prompted the abandonment of Manchester United’s match against Bournemouth.
Kick-off, due at 15:00 BST, was delayed and shortly afterwards the match was abandoned on police advice due to the discovery of a suspect package in the North-West Quadrant of the Old Trafford ground.
Just under two hours earlier, an operation red code alert had been heard over the public address system, and the players who were warming up had left the field.
Fans were then advised that, because of the discovery of a suspect package in the north-west quadrant of the ground, the match has been abandoned on police advice.
Supporters who were still in the ground were advised to stay in their seats while the forecourt was cleared of fans who had been in the two stands that were evacuated.
The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End were evacuated before the game and sniffer dogs brought in.
A bomb disposal team found the suspected device and carried out a controlled explosion at about 16:30 BST.
Greater Manchester Police released this statement at 18:11 BST on Sunday night via their official Twitter account: “Controlled explosion carried out at OT on what is described as incredibly lifelike explosive device. Assessment now concluded and found device wasn’t viable. Full search of stadium ongoing.”
The Premier League has announced it is looking to rearrange the match as soon as possible.
“The game will definitely need to be played but there are logistical issues that need to be resolved,” a statement read.
“However, they cannot even start to begin discussing them until the police have done what they need to do here [at Old Trafford].”
Story by David Oputah
