English soccer match is cancelled over imitation bomb

MANCHESTER — The final match of the Premier League season for Manchester United and Bournemouth was abandoned Sunday afternoon (May 15) after a suspicious package was found at the stadium, United announced on its website.

The package was later determined to have been an imitation bomb left behind during an earlier security exercise, the Greater Manchester Police reported Sunday night, according to The Associated Press.

The police had earlier said in a Twitter post that bomb disposal experts carried out a controlled explosion on “what is described as incredibly lifelike explosive device”. It turned out not to be “viable” after a full assessment.

Two sections of the Old Trafford stadium in Manchester — the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End — were evacuated about 20 minutes before the scheduled kickoff, the BBC reported. Sniffer dogs were seen searching the stands.

A short time later, fans in the remaining two stands were also evacuated.

“People in the stadium are advised to remain in their seats while the forecourt is cleared of fans evacuated from the stadium. Further announcements will be made as soon as possible,” the club said.

Mr Ian Hopkins, chief constable of the Greater Manchester police, wrote on Twitter: “Greater Manchester Police working with Man Utd to make sure everyone is safely evacuated.”

The bomb scare came just days after Britain raised the terrorist threat level linked to Northern Ireland to “substantial” from “moderate”, warning that an attack was a strong possibility.

Ms Theresa May, Britain’s home secretary, said that decision reflected “the continuing threat from dissident republican activity”.

In March, a group calling itself the New Irish Republican Army claimed responsibility for a bomb attack on a van driven by a prison officer. The group, which opposes the Northern Ireland peace process, said it was “ready and determined to take the war to the age-old enemy of our nation”.

After the terrorist attacks in Paris in November, an exhibition game between Germany and the Netherlands was called off and fans were evacuated after a suspicious object was found inside the stadium in Hanover, Germany. Officials described an “intention to ignite explosives”.

In 2004, spectators at Real Madrid’s Bernabu stadium were evacuated after the Basque newspaper Gara reportedly received a phone call saying a bomb was set to explode there. More than 70,000 people were evacuated shortly before the end of the match between Real Madrid and Real Sociedad, but no explosive device was found.

The Premier League rescheduled the match between Manchester United and Bournemouth for Tuesday. THE NEW YORK TIMES