Old Trafford stadium evacuated because of suspect package

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Manchester United's final-day match against Bournemouth has been called off because of a suspect package.

Two stands - the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End - at the 75,635 capacity stadium were evacuated before the home game against Bournemouth and sniffer dogs brought in to search the stands.

Kick-off, due at 15:00 BST, was delayed and shortly afterwards the match was abandoned on police advice.

This should have been the final day of the Premier League season, but this match will now have to be played at a later date.

It comes just five days after Manchester United's team bus was attacked and damaged by West Ham United fans as its made its way to West Ham's Boleyn Ground in east London for a match, the last ever at the old stadium, which West Ham won 3-2.

Manchester United's final-day game called off because of suspect package

BBC Sport
15 May 2016

The Stretford End and Sir Alex Ferguson Stand were evacuated before the game was abandoned

Manchester United's final-day match against Bournemouth has been called off because of a suspect package.

Two stands - the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End - were evacuated before the home game against Bournemouth and sniffer dogs brought in to search the stands.

Kick-off, due at 15:00 BST, was delayed and shortly afterwards the match was abandoned on police advice.

Security personnel are supervising fans exiting the stadium.

An "operation red code" alert was heard over the tannoy at 14:40 BST and the players who were warming up left the field.

The club announced: "Due to the discovery of a suspect package in the north-west quadrant of the ground, the match has been abandoned for today on police advice.

© Provided by Sky News

"People in the stadium are advised to remain in their seats while the forecourt is cleared of fans evacuated from the stadium. Further announcements will be made as soon as possible."

Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward spoke to Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore about the game being called off, BBC Sport's football correspondent Phil McNulty said.

There is no indication yet as to when the game will be played.

BBC Sport's football correspondent Phil McNulty reporting from Old Trafford

BBC Sport reporter Simon Stone is at the ground

The Manchester United team bus was attacked and damaged by West Ham United fans outside the Boleyn Ground in east London on Tuesday evening


Manchester United's final-day game called off because of suspect package - BBC Sport

 

[Kreskin]

The good news is it's soccer and the score won't be impacted.

 

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The good news is it's soccer and the score won't be impacted.

How do you know the score won't be impacted? Nobody knows what score it would have been.

Of course, this match is important because Manchester United are competing with their local rivals Manchester City for that fourth Champions League place. A defeat for City and any win for United, or a draw for City and a win by a margin of 19 or more goals for United (highly unlikely), would see United clinch it at City's expense. Anything else and City would clinch it at United's expense. City are currently drawing 1-1 against Swansea City.

So it's finished 1-1 between Swansea City and Manchester City. That means that Manchester United won't be playing Champions League football next season unless they beat Bournemouth by a margin of 19 goals or more when the match is finally played.

You have to laugh at Spurs, too. Thanks to them losing against Chelsea the other day their quest for their first title in 55 years came to an end, with the title instead going to Leicester City.

So instead they thought they'd console themselves by finishing second in the Premier League and going straight through, with Leicester, to the Champions League group stage next season without having to qualify.

So what do they go and do today? Get thrashed 5-1 against a crappy Newcastle United side who have already been relegated and see their north London neighbours and arch-rivals Arsenal thrash already-relegated Aston Villa 4-0. This means that Arsenal have overtaken Tottenham to finish second, with Tottenham finishing third and having to go through qualification rounds for the Champions League like Manchester City (unless United beat Bournemouth by a margin of 19 or more goals to steal City's place).

Old Trafford: Controlled explosion carried out as Man Utd game called off

BBC Sport
15 May 2016

Fans leave Manchester United's Old Trafford following the security alert

A controlled explosion has been carried out at Old Trafford after a suspect package was found ahead of Manchester United's match against Bournemouth.

Two stands - the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End - were evacuated before the final game of the season and sniffer dogs brought in.

Kick-off, due at 15:00 BST, was delayed and shortly afterwards the match was abandoned on police advice.

A bomb disposal team carried out the explosion at around 16:30 BST.

Greater Manchester Police confirmed the controlled explosion on Twitter

The Premier League said it was 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."

Assistant Chief Constable John O'Hare, of Greater Manchester Police, said: "We are doing everything we can to investigate this item as quickly as possible. However our priority is obviously to ensure the safety of everyone in the stadium and surrounding area."

He said "military colleagues" were assisting, adding: "We don't make these decisions lightly and we have done this today to ensure the safety of all those attending."

Analysis

By Phil McNulty, BBC Sport chief football writer at Old Trafford:

"The first indications that all was not well at Old Trafford came when stewards moved in to action and fans were evacuated from the Stretford End.

"Thousands of supporters were already inside Old Trafford when, in a well-organised drill, supporters in the giant Sir Alex Ferguson Stand were also moved out as a "Code Red" operation was announced over Old Trafford's public address system

"Those in the Sir Bobby Charlton Stand, where some had already gathered in the directors' box and the East Stand, where the massed ranks of Bournemouth supporters were assembled, were told to stay calm and remain in their seats.

"Bournemouth's players had started their warm-up but they left the pitch swiftly once it became clear a security operation was under way as police moved in and a helicopter flew above the ground.

"Some Bournemouth fans were unhappy at the regular announcements to remain in their seats, especially after word had swept around Old Trafford that the game had been called off, but safety was understandably paramount.

"Once the official announcement was made to those still inside the stadium, there was an orderly exit although roads around the ground remained cordoned off by police and stewards as fans were shepherded away from the area where police were carrying out an inspection of the suspect package."

An army bomb disposal unit was called to Old Trafford

Police sniffer dogs were brought in to the Old Trafford stands

Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney's wife Coleen was at Old Trafford before it was evacuated

Police outside the Old Trafford stadium

Security guards help fans leave the ground

A police sniffer dog at Old Trafford



Old Trafford: Controlled explosion carried out as Man Utd game called off - BBC Sport

https://twitter.com/Stirling061/status/731867118682148864

 

[Kreskin]

Was all for not.

 

[darkbeaver]

Manchester bomb scare blamed on training device - CNN.com

edition.cnn.com/2016/05/15/world/uk-manchester-united/


2 hours ago - Manchester United: A suspicious item found in Manchester United's Old Trafford stadium ahead of a key ... Manchester United match canceled over package ... ISIS soccer stadium attack Iraq_00000000.jpg ... League football match between Manchester United and Bournemouth was abandoned Sunday.

 

[EagleSmack]

lmao... they did it to themselves. Britards

 

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Old Trafford: Manchester United fan from Sierra Leone's Wembley consolation

BBC News
16 May 2016

Supporters have arranged a later flight home for Moses, who will watch his team's rearranged Premier League clash on Tuesday

A Manchester United fan from Sierra Leone whose dream trip to Old Trafford was ruined by Sunday's dummy bomb drama will attend the FA Cup final thanks to a campaign by supporters.

Moses was left in tears after making the 3,000 mile (4,800 km) journey, only for the game to be cancelled.

He had been invited by friends at the Manchester United Supporters Trust to watch the Premier League match.

Now the group has offered to fund an extended trip for Moses.

Members offered to pay for a later return flight home, so he can watch the Red Devils' rearranged clash with Bournemouth on Tuesday.

And they are arranging a ticket for Moses to watch the team's FA Cup final against Crystal Palace at Wembley next week.

Moses said he cried when he heard the game was called off

The fan, who works in security, said "he cried a lot" when the match was cancelled.

"I was so disappointed and I cried right away and people come around me and hug me," he said.

"I come far away from Sierra Leone. I come to watch this match and it doesn't happen."

"This is my first time in real life to watch Manchester live and it doesn't happen."

A dummy device was found in a toilet at Old Trafford, leading to the match being postponed

An "urgent" inquiry has been demanded after a dummy bomb used in a security exercise resulted in the 15:00 BST kick-off match being postponed.

'His dream'

As well as getting to watch the rearranged Premier League match between Manchester United and Bournemouth on Tuesday night at Old Trafford he will also get to watch the FA Cup final between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Wembley on Saturday afternoon

Fans were evacuated and a controlled explosion was carried out on the device, which police said was accidentally left at the 75,000 capacity stadium.

Ian Stirling, vice chairman of MUST, said: "When we heard the game was abandoned we had to tell Moses and the poor lad was distraught - being so close to the ground and not being able to go in, not knowing when he might get this chance again.

"He's still distraught at not getting in to Old Trafford. That was his dream. But we're trying to do the right thing for a friend."

Manchester United said it was refunding all tickets for Sunday's game and allowing ticket holders from both clubs to watch Tuesday's re-arranged game for free.


Old Trafford: Manchester United fan from Sierra Leone's Wembley consolation - BBC News