Police launch derby smoke bomb probe
BOTH Greater Manchester Police and the FA have launched investigations after a smoke bomb was thrown onto the pitch during the derby.
The incident occurred in the dying minutes of Sunday’s match at Old Trafford as City midfielder Bernardo Silva was preparing to take a corner.
The item didn’t hit the Portugese midfielder but landed nearby and there was a brief stoppage in play whilst it was moved away as it sent plumes of red smoke billowing into the front rows of the north east corner of the ground.
Bringing, or attempting to bring, pyrotechnics into a football ground is a criminal offence and carries a maximum sentence of three months in prison.
They are among the items security staff look for when searching supporters, and others previously found guilty of possessing them inside grounds have been handed banning orders.
GMP have confirmed the incident has been reported to them and enquiries to identify the perpetrator are under way. A GMP spokesman said: “We can confirm that during the Manchester derby police received a report that a smoke bomb had been thrown onto the pitch. An investigation has been launched and enquiries are ongoing.”
Just four people were arrested during the match day with police praising the overwhelming majority of fans for their behaviour.
However, one of the men was arrested for allegedly throwing a plastic bottle onto the pitch.