The UK army’s bomb disposal units have carried out a controlled explosion at the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester, after a Premier League game between Manchester United and Bournemouth was called off over the discovery of a bomb.
"A controlled explosion has just been carried out within the stadium by bomb disposal experts at Old Trafford," Greater Manchester Police tweeted on Sunday, after the spectators were evacuated from the venue upon the discovery of a suspected package 20 minutes before the kickoff.
The bomb, comprised of a mobile phone wired to a pipe, was reportedly found by Man Utd's staff in a set of toilets in the ground’s north-west corner.
The Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End, officially known as the West Stand, of the Old Trafford ground were evacuated following the discovery and sniffer dogs were used to search the area, after the “operation code red” was announced.
"We don’t make these decisions lightly and we have done this today to ensure the safety of all those attending," Assistant Chief Constable John O'Hare said in a statement, adding that "military colleagues" had arrived at the scene to help.
The game was initially delayed for 45 minutes before the home club announced its cancellation in an online message.
“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,” the Red Devils said on their website.
The UK terrorism threat level remained at “severe” and was not affected by the incident, a police spokesperson said.
The British Premier League also issued a statement saying the decision to pull the game was in coordination with security officials and the fixture will soon be rearranged.
“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,” the statement read.
United still had a chance of clinching the final Champions League qualifying place, given Manchester City's result against Swansea City on Sunday, which ended in a 1-1 draw
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