Manchester United Match Cancelled After Suspicious Package In Stadium [UPDATE]
By Ty Duffy
One of the 10 final EPL matches will not be played as planned. The Manchester United vs. Bournemouth match at Old Trafford has been cancelled. Police had evacuated the North and West stands after a “suspect package” was reported before kickoff.
An initial 45-minute delay became a complete cancellation.
Due to the discovery of a suspect package in the NW Quadrant of the ground, the match has been abandoned today on police advice. #mufc
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) May 15, 2016
The postponement will change the complexion of that match. Bournemouth is clear of relegation regardless of the result. But, Manchester United will now know whether the match matters for them (only have a chance to reach Champions League if Manchester City loses).
Following the abandonment of #MUNBOU, the Premier League has issued the following statement... pic.twitter.com/ra4zOaWIwr
— Premier League (@premierleague) May 15, 2016
UPDATE: Sources at Old Trafford said the device was a mobile phone attached to a pipe in a bathroom at the North/West end of the stadium. Bomb disposal experts performed a “controlled explosion.”
Stewards here definitely saying device, including phone, was strapped to gas pipe. Not confirmed. MUFC say their own security found it.
— Daniel Taylor (@DTathletic) May 15, 2016
It’s not clear yet what ramifications this will have for the Premier League and other sporting events in the future, but expect them to be significant. Euro 2016 in France kicks off in less than a month.