Manchester United’s game against Bournemouth has been canceled after a suspicious package was found at the Old Trafford stadium, the club said Sunday.
Police are investigating the “suspect package” found in the northwest quadrant of the ground,Manchester United announced on Twitter. The investigation had initially delayed kick-off of the final league game of the season, but authorities later advised the team to abandon the match.
Fans inside the Old Trafford stadium are being asked to remain seated as the forecourt is being cleared of people who were already evacuated from the stadium, Manchester United said. The club said it would disclose further details later.
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The Premiere League apologized to fans in a statement, saying it was the “last resort” to cancel the game. “When it comes to matters of security, it is obviously right that Manchester United and the Premiere League place the safety of supporters and employees foremost,” it said. “The Premiere League will seek to rearrange the fixture as soon as practically possible as will advise fans accordingly. It is always the last resort to abandon one of our fixtures and while we apologize for the inconvenience caused to fans, we are sure, in the circumstances, they will appreciate the need to do so.”
Kick-off is delayed at Old Trafford after a suspect package was found in the North West Quadrant. Police are inspecting, more to follow.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2016
Kick-off is delayed at Old Trafford after a suspect package was found in the North West Quadrant. Police are inspecting, more to follow.
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2016
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
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2016
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
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2016
The suspect package was subject to a controlled explosion at soccer club Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium on Sunday and was found to be an “incredibly lifelike explosive device” which was not viable, police said.
Earlier the club’s English Premier League match against Bournemouth was cancelled and the stadium evacuated shortly before kick-off on police advice after a suspect package was found.
“Bomb disposal experts carried out controlled explosion at Old Trafford on what is described as incredibly lifelike explosive device,” Greater Manchester Police said on Twitter (TWTR).
“Full assessment now concluded and found device wasn’t viable. A full search of the stadium is ongoing.”