Manchester United's final Premier League game of the season was abandoned earlier this afternoon following the evacuation of Old Trafford caused by the discovery of a 'suspect package' in the north-west stand of Old Trafford. The package was believed to be a bomb, and was described as a mobile phone attached to pipework.
The Associated Press quoted a European security official who claimed that the discovery of the device coincided with recent chatter regarding "the terror threat level associated with Irish dissidents has been raised recently due to credible threats we've been monitoring". Following a full stadium evacuation and the implementation of an exclusion zone around Old Trafford, the British Army Bomb Disposal Unit arrived on the scene,where they executed a controlled explosion to remove the device. Afterwards, Greater Manchester Police confirmed that the device had been an elaborate hoax.
Bomb disposal experts carried out controlled explosion at Old Trafford on what is described as incredibly lifelike explosive device...
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 15, 2016
Full assessment now concluded and found device wasn’t viable. A full search of the stadium is ongoing. Full update to follow.
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 15, 2016
A picture of the device was taken before the controlled explosion and will be used as evidence should arrest(s)/charges follow.
— Mike Keegan (@MikeKeegan_DM) May 15, 2016
The game was abandoned as a result of a joint decision by Manchester United and the Football Association following a discussion with police. It is unclear when the game will be played, although it will not be tomorrow, as the Bournemouth squad have flown home.
Manchester United are one of many football clubs right across the world who have greatly stepped up security efforts following last November's attacks on Paris, one of which targeted the Stade de France.
