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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/football/2016/may/15/manchester-united-abandon-final-premier-league-game-after-security-alert-leads-to-old-trafford-evacuation
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| Old Trafford bomb hoax sees Manchester United's final game axed | Old Trafford bomb hoax sees Manchester United's final game axed |
| (about 1 hour later) | |
| An elaborate hoax involving a fake but “incredibly lifelike” bomb caused the cancellation of Manchester United’s final Premier League game of the season at Old Trafford. | An elaborate hoax involving a fake but “incredibly lifelike” bomb caused the cancellation of Manchester United’s final Premier League game of the season at Old Trafford. |
| The stadium was evacuated 20 minutes before the match against Bournemouth was due to kick off. Army bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion on the package, which was discovered in the north-west quadrant of the stadium. | The stadium was evacuated 20 minutes before the match against Bournemouth was due to kick off. Army bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion on the package, which was discovered in the north-west quadrant of the stadium. |
| Detailed examination found that the package, thought to consist of a mobile phone attached to a pipe, was not “viable”, Greater Manchester police (GMP) said.In a statement, the force said: “Bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion at Old Trafford on what is described as an incredibly lifelike explosive device. Full assessment has now concluded and found that the device wasn’t viable.” | |
| Full assessment now concluded and found device wasn’t viable. A full search of the stadium is ongoing. Full update to follow. | Full assessment now concluded and found device wasn’t viable. A full search of the stadium is ongoing. Full update to follow. |
| Bomb disposal experts carried out controlled explosion at Old Trafford on what is described as incredibly lifelike explosive device... | Bomb disposal experts carried out controlled explosion at Old Trafford on what is described as incredibly lifelike explosive device... |
| A search of the stadium continued into the evening to check no other devices had been planted, as detectives sought to understand who had planted the fake bomb and why.A terrorist attack has long been the nightmare scenario for the world’s biggest football club. In January, United reportedly beefed up security in the wake of the terror attack at the Stade de France in Paris. | |
| Related: Manchester United v Bournemouth abandoned after Old Trafford evacuation – live | Related: Manchester United v Bournemouth abandoned after Old Trafford evacuation – live |
| On Sunday, it was not until shortly before the 3pm kickoff that it became clear all was not well at Old Trafford, which has a capacity of over 75,000.Many supporters were not yet in the ground when fans in the Stretford End and Sir Alex Ferguson Stand were evacuated as security personnel announced “operation code red”.Apologising to fans, Greater Manchester police’s assistant chief constable, John O’Hare, said: “We don’t make these decisions lightly and we have done this today to ensure the safety of all those attending. I am thankful for everyone’s support and assistance.” | |
| It is understood that both sets of players were kept in the dressing rooms for about 40 minutes before being taken to a suite where they were looked after by security and hospitality staff.The alert came just days after Theresa May announced MI5 had raised the threat level to Great Britain from Northern Ireland-related terrorism from moderate to substantial, the third most serious category out of five.The home secretary said on Wednesday the move “reflects the continuing threat from dissident republican activity”. Next month marks 20 years since the IRA destroyed Manchester’s shopping district in a bomb attack. | It is understood that both sets of players were kept in the dressing rooms for about 40 minutes before being taken to a suite where they were looked after by security and hospitality staff.The alert came just days after Theresa May announced MI5 had raised the threat level to Great Britain from Northern Ireland-related terrorism from moderate to substantial, the third most serious category out of five.The home secretary said on Wednesday the move “reflects the continuing threat from dissident republican activity”. Next month marks 20 years since the IRA destroyed Manchester’s shopping district in a bomb attack. |
| The threat level to the UK from international terrorism remains at severe – meaning an attack is “highly likely”. This has not been changed. | The threat level to the UK from international terrorism remains at severe – meaning an attack is “highly likely”. This has not been changed. |
| Due to the discovery of a suspect package in the NW Quadrant of the ground, the match has been abandoned today on police advice. #mufc | Due to the discovery of a suspect package in the NW Quadrant of the ground, the match has been abandoned today on police advice. #mufc |
| Premier League officials said the game would be rearranged “as soon as practically possible”, adding in a statement: “The decision to abandon the Manchester United versus AFC Bournemouth match was taken after the police advised of the necessity to deal with a suspect package. When it comes to matters of security it is obviously right that Manchester United and the Premier League place the safety of supporters and employees foremost. | Premier League officials said the game would be rearranged “as soon as practically possible”, adding in a statement: “The decision to abandon the Manchester United versus AFC Bournemouth match was taken after the police advised of the necessity to deal with a suspect package. When it comes to matters of security it is obviously right that Manchester United and the Premier League place the safety of supporters and employees foremost. |
| Related: Manchester City draw at Swansea City to all-but ensure top-four finish | Related: Manchester City draw at Swansea City to all-but ensure top-four finish |
| “The Premier League will seek to rearrange the fixture as soon as practically possible and will advise fans accordingly. It is always the last resort to abandon one of our fixtures and while we apologise for the inconvenience caused to fans we are sure, in the circumstances, they will appreciate the need to do so.” | “The Premier League will seek to rearrange the fixture as soon as practically possible and will advise fans accordingly. It is always the last resort to abandon one of our fixtures and while we apologise for the inconvenience caused to fans we are sure, in the circumstances, they will appreciate the need to do so.” |
| There was inevitable disappointment from fans who had come from outside Manchester for the match. Sam Stride, a United supporter from Bristol, said: “Unbelievable. This is the first time I have been to Old Trafford to see a game. My mate and I have known each other for 63 years and we travelled up from Bristol together. We sat in the Stretford End for about five seconds before they asked us to leave. It’s very disappointing.” | There was inevitable disappointment from fans who had come from outside Manchester for the match. Sam Stride, a United supporter from Bristol, said: “Unbelievable. This is the first time I have been to Old Trafford to see a game. My mate and I have known each other for 63 years and we travelled up from Bristol together. We sat in the Stretford End for about five seconds before they asked us to leave. It’s very disappointing.” |
| But in the beer gardens outside the ground fans were largely accepting of the decision to cancel the match, the fine weather and alcohol taking the edge off any frustration. Pub landlord Steve Kerr was trying to look on the bright side. He said: “The sun’s shining, everybody is in good spirits. But we’ve not really been happy all season – this puts the final nail in the coffin.” | But in the beer gardens outside the ground fans were largely accepting of the decision to cancel the match, the fine weather and alcohol taking the edge off any frustration. Pub landlord Steve Kerr was trying to look on the bright side. He said: “The sun’s shining, everybody is in good spirits. But we’ve not really been happy all season – this puts the final nail in the coffin.” |
| “It sums up our season, that. Just fizzling out – something and nothing,” said Matt Crew, who had come up for the match from Leek in Staffordshire. | “It sums up our season, that. Just fizzling out – something and nothing,” said Matt Crew, who had come up for the match from Leek in Staffordshire. |
| His father, Dave, said there was no trouble during the mass evacuation. “People were just singing and chanting as usual. You can’t blame the club really. They’re caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. If anything goes wrong they’ll be the ones criticised. Security is the most important thing these days.” | His father, Dave, said there was no trouble during the mass evacuation. “People were just singing and chanting as usual. You can’t blame the club really. They’re caught between the devil and the deep blue sea. If anything goes wrong they’ll be the ones criticised. Security is the most important thing these days.” |
| Outside the Tollgate pub by Trafford Bar tram stop, others discussed who might have left the suspect package. A consensus emerged as word reached the picnic tables that the club’s biggest rivals were 1-0 up against Swansea after five minutes of play, going on to be held to a 1-1 draw: “It was definitely a City fan.” |