The suspect package which led to Manchester
United's Premier League game against Bournemouth
being abandoned was a dummy device left over from a
training exercise.
Greater Manchester Police made the announcement
after a controlled explosion was carried out on the
item at Old Trafford.
Police confirm the suspicious item found at Old
Trafford has been identified as a training device:
https://t.co/hPE9eWXX5K #mufc
- Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2016
Police and security staff were forced to evacuate the
stadium shortly before the scheduled 3 p.m. kick off
on Sunday and the game was called off soon
afterwards.
GMP said in a statement: "Following today's controlled
explosion, we have since found out that the item was
a training device which had accidentally been left by a
private company following a training exercise involving
explosive search dogs.
"Whilst this item did not turn out to be a viable
explosive, on appearance this device was as real as
could be, and the decision to evacuate the stadium
was the right thing to do, until we could be sure that
people were not at risk."
Of the revelation, Manchester United executive vice-
chairman Ed Woodward said the club will "investigate
the incident to inform future actions and decisions"
after the controlled explosion at the stadium.
Greater Manchester mayor Tony Lloyd described the
episode as a "fiasco" and called for an inquiry into the
incident.
"It is outrageous this situation arose and a full inquiry
is required to urgently find out how this happened, why
it happened and who will be held accountable," Lloyd
said.
Meanwhile, Sunday's game has been rescheduled for
Tuesday, May 17 at 8 p.m.
Following the abandonment of #MUNBOU, the Premier
League has issued the following statement...
pic.twitter.com/ybdhIOHMS9
- Premier League (@premierleague) May 15, 2016
"We can confirm that today's abandoned fixture
between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth will
be played on Tuesday 17 May at 8 p.m.," the Premier
League said in a statement.
"We would like to thank Manchester United's staff, the
police and other emergency services for all their
efforts today as well as rearranging the match for this
coming Tuesday.
"Both Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth's
management has been extremely helpful in reaching a
swift resolution, which is the best possible given
today's events.
"The clubs will make their own announcements
regarding ticketing arrangements."
BREAKING: Today's abandoned fixture between #mufc
and Bournemouth will be played on Tuesday 17 May at
20:00 BST.
- Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2016
Sources told Press Association that United will refund
all ticket holders for Sunday's game and offer them
free entry to the rearranged fixture.
Press Association contributed to this report.
