AFC Bournemouth at Manchester United became the first Premier League match in history ever to be postponed due to a bomb threat. The crowd was evacuated from Old Trafford about 30-45 minutes before the scheduled kickoff. We were there, and took a few photos of the crowd leaving Old Trafford and Tweeted them out.
You can view those photos at this link.
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/731903411961139205
According to the Associated Press, the bomb squad did uncover an explosive device in a suspicious package today at Old Trafford. The AP writes:
Greater Manchester Police says a bomb disposal unit has carried out a controlled explosion at Old Trafford stadium.The controlled blast came soon after British military bomb disposal experts arrived at Manchester United’s stadium to investigate reports of a suspicious package.The Premier League match between United and Bournemouth was called off after the stadium, which has a capacity for more than 75,000 fans, was evacuated.
The Barclays’s Premier League itself released a statement saying that it will look to reschedule the fixture “as soon as practically possible.”
https://twitter.com/PaulMBanks/status/731873193384902656
“It is always the last resort to abandon one of our fixtures and while we apologize for the inconvenience caused to fans, we are sure, in the circumstances, they will appreciate the need to do so, 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.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye publication and Bold Global.