Even as Manchester United players began their warm-up for their season finale against Bournemouth FC, they had no clue what was supposed to happen in a matter of minutes!
In a few minutes, Old Trafford became the scene of League football’s greatest death scare in recent times and one of the first times that terror has stuck really close domestic club football competitions.
We all know what happened then. The spectators were evacuated from the stadium, match abandoned, the entire ground was covered by security officials and police and finally a ‘controlled explosion’ was commenced.
The bomb, or suspicious article, was later revealed to be a training device left behind erroneously by a security company which conducted its drills on the ground recently.
But amidst all the chaos was a triumph.
And this one belongs to the officials who helped the 75,000 fans and personnel to safety in an orderly manner!
Here’s how things transpired:
Though a sad season for the Red devils, the Old Trafford faithful gathered at the stadium from around the world for the last game of this premiere league season, there was a faint glimmer of hope for a champions league spot even then.
MUFC
Shortly before the kickoff around 7:30 IST (1500 BST), staff from the Manchester United ground reached out to Greater Manchester Police and reported a suspicious item that was found in the toilets within the North West Quadrant, between the Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End.
reuters
Soon, both these stands were evacuated and players were asked to move to the dressing rooms.
reuters
Though many had taken great pains to reach the venue, there was no hooliganism, rushing or stampedes.
Reuters
As more clarity on the item emerged, the entire stadium was evacuated and the match was ‘abandoned’.
reuters
Sniffer dogs and personnel checked every nook and corner for any potential threat.
reuters
Bomb squad was called in and a controlled explosion was initiated.
MUFC
Later in the day, police confirm that the suspicious package was a training device inadvertently left behind by a security company. It was non-explosive but looked life-like.
reuters
The match was rescheduled for Tuesday and people did face a lot of issues on Sunday;including many fans who had come from abroad.
reuters
But what stood out was the efficacy of the Greater Manchester Police and their response, which was praised world-over.