PAStands at Old Trafford have been evacuated this afternoon after a ‘suspect package’ was found just minuted before their final game of the season was about to begin.
The panic began as Manchester United posted on Twitter about the suspect package, adding that police are currently investigating the incident, reports Sky News.
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
Manchester United were due to face AFC Bournemouth in the last game of the Premier League at 3pm but now the game has been delayed out of safety concerns.
It is reported that the Manchester United game won’t be replayed until after the FA Cup final on Saturday 21.
AFC Bournemouth also posted a tweet about the incident:
BREAKING: #MUNBOU has been abandoned due to safety fears at Old Trafford. #afcb #MUFC
— AFC Bournemouth ? (@afcbournemouth) May 15, 2016
Please stay tuned to @twitter where we will endeavour to keep you updated on any further developments. #afcb
— AFC Bournemouth ? (@afcbournemouth) May 15, 2016
Originally, only the Sir Alex Ferguson North Stand and the Stretford End that were evacuated, however now the entire 75,600-seater stadium has been fully evacuated as bomb disposal teams have been sent in.
RLC bomb disposal unit has arrived at Old Trafford. #mufc #afcb pic.twitter.com/TP0GCoVDMs
— United Ways (@UtdWays) May 15, 2016
PA
PAThe Premier League has also released the following statement on Twitter:
Following the abandonment of #MUNBOU, the Premier League has issued the following statement… pic.twitter.com/ra4zOaWIwr
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 15, 2016
Speaking to Sky News, Manchester United fan, Rachel Blewitt said:
We weren’t sure what was going on for a while … and then sniffer dogs came out from the North Stand and along the length of the North Stand and then it transpired that the suspect package was in the North West Quadrant.
Manchester, evacuate le tribune dell’Old Trafford
https://t.co/1CAFnH46yB pic.twitter.com/UHbuvmEoYa— ZioO. (@OroLezzi) May 15, 2016
Explosive trained police sniffer dogs and a bomb disposal team have been sent in to investigate the package.
PHOTO
Bomb disposal squad arriving at Old Trafford pic.twitter.com/jvBmronMIq— Red Related (@RedRelated) May 15, 2016
Greater Manchester Police later tweeted that they had carried out a controlled explosion at the ground, though it is not yet known whether it was in fact a bomb or a false alarm:
Latest update: A controlled explosion has just been carried out within the stadium by bomb disposal experts at Old Trafford. More to follow.
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 15, 2016
They later posted this tweet on the social media site, saying:
Bomb disposal experts carried out controlled explosion at Old Trafford on what is described as incredibly lifelike explosive device…
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 15, 2016
They later concluded that the device wasn’t capable of successfully blowing up:
Full assessment now concluded and found device wasn’t viable. A full search of the stadium is ongoing. Full update to follow.
— G M Police (@gmpolice) May 15, 2016
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