Old Trafford ‘bomb’ was left behind by mistake
A MAJOR terror alert that led to the evacuation of England’s biggest club stadium turned to farce last night after it emerged the “bomb” was a training device left over from an exercise.
For the first time, a Premier League game had to be abandoned for security reasons after the suspected bomb was found hidden at Old Trafford, home of Manchester United.
The stadium, containing a crowd of 75,000, was evacuated and a controlled explosion by bomb-disposal experts carried out on the device, said to be a mobile phone attached to a pipe taped to the back of a lavatory door.
Greater Manchester Police (GMP) initially said the “incredibly lifelike” device was a hoax bomb, and an investigation was launched into how it could have been planted at a major ground amid heightened terror alerts.
But five hours later, a revised statement said it was a mock device that had been accidentally left a few days ago by a private company involving a training exercise for search dogs.
The force stood by its decision to order the evacuation, but the episode brought more embarrassment for the force, which earlier this month had to apologise after a mock suicide bomber in a high-profile terror training exercise shouted “Allahu Akbar”.
Police chiefs were accused of implying all terrorists were Muslim.
The incident at Old Trafford initially fuelled nervousness among football chiefs ahead of the Euro 2016 finals in France this summer – the country that suffered two major terror outrages last year, including an attack at the Stade de France.
There have been widespread fears that Islamist fanatics plan to attack a major sporting venue. There have also been renewed concerns that dissident Irish Republicans, such as the New IRA, are increasingly planning to attack the British mainland.
But a spokesman for GMP said: “We have since found out the item was a training device which had accidentally been left by a private company following a training exercise involving explosives search dogs.
“Whilst this item did not turn out to be a viable explosive device, 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. Everyone remained calm, followed instructions, and worked with officers and stewards to ensure a safe evacuation was quickly completed.”
The blunder came a day after Rob Wainwright, the head of the European Union police agency, warned the Euro 2016 tournament was “an attractive target for terrorists”.
Security at Premier League stadiums was increased after the Paris attacks that killed 130 people in November, when three teams of attackers blew themselves up or sprayed gunfire at the Stade de France, cafes and bars, and the Bataclan concert hall.
Old Trafford expected a capacity attendance for United’s match with Bournemouth AFC yesterday, with the Manchester club still vying for a Champions League spot.
But an “operation code red” security announcement was made over the public address system at 2.40pm – just 20 minutes before kick-off and with the players warming up on the pitch.
Initially, half the stadium was evacuated, but within minutes it was announced that the match was being abandoned. The remainder of the stadium was evacuated and Army bomb disposal experts were called in to carry out a controlled explosion. Sniffer dogs also scoured the stands.
The players were kept in their dressing rooms as the scare unfolded.
United midfielder Ander Herrera said: “It has been very tense and we have all been nervous.”
Sean Bones, vice-chairman of the Manchester United Supporters’ Trust, said: “It is obviously a dark day in Premier League history.”
A statement from the Premier League said: “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 League said the fixture would be replayed on Tuesday night.