Melodi
Disaster Cat
I don't follow sports but even I know that Manchester United's football (soccer) team is like a religion to many people on this side of the water. This is the number one news story over here right now and for a good reason.
They are now saying "the device" which was blown up after the stadium was evacuated was "non viable" but it sure did look real (from other reports).
Some articles are blaming this on "Republican Terrorism" (over here that means modern Irish/IRA clones not rabid senators) but that was certainly not my first thought.
Now the older versions of the IRA made it a hallmark to call in a warning so if that happened it probably was a new wave of an old problem; but I do have to wonder given the recent ISIL/ISIS threat to the UK?
My other thought was that whomever did it has now learned they can shut down even extremely important sports or other public venues by simply putting fake bombs in them.
After a lot of fake ones, people are likely to get careless and then well...it only takes one...
BBC
Old Trafford: Controlled explosion carried out as Man Utd game called off
35 minutes ago From the section Football
Bomb disposal unit outside Old Trafford
Army personnel at Old Trafford remove the remote-control bomb disposal vehicle
A controlled explosion has been carried out at Old Trafford after a suspect package was found before Manchester United's match against Bournemouth.
Greater Manchester Police described the device as "incredibly lifelike" but later confirmed it "wasn't viable".
The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End were evacuated before the game and sniffer dogs brought in.
Kick-off, due at 15:00 BST, was delayed and shortly afterwards the match was abandoned on police advice.
A bomb disposal team carried out the explosion at about 16:30 BST.
Twitter
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the controlled explosion on Twitter
Just under two hours earlier, an "operation red code" alert had been heard over the public address system, and the players who were warming up had left the field.
Fans were then advised that, because of "the discovery of a suspect package in the north-west quadrant of the ground, the match has been abandoned for today on police advice".
Supporters who were still in the ground were advised to stay in their seats while the forecourt was cleared of fans who had been in the two stands that were evacuated.
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Manchester United v Bournemouth abandoned
While the evacuation was occurring, Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward spoke to Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore about the game being called off, BBC Sport's football correspondent Phil McNulty revealed.
The Premier League has announced it is looking to rearrange the match as soon as possible.
"The game will definitely need to be played but there are logistical issues that need to be resolved," a statement read.
"However, they cannot even start to begin discussing them until the police have done what they need to do here [at Old Trafford]."
Speaking before the controlled explosion was carried out, assistant chief constable John O'Hare of Greater Manchester Police said their priority "was to ensure the safety of everyone in the stadium and surrounding area".
He said "military colleagues" were assisting with the incident, adding: "We don't make these decisions lightly and we have done this today [abandoned the match] to ensure the safety of all those attending."
United players were seen leaving the ground shortly after 16:30 BST. BBC commentator Conor McNamara said he saw Bournemouth players and staff boarding their team bus outside Old Trafford around an hour later.
The south coast club later confirmed they would be flying back to Bournemouth on Sunday night.
'A dark day in Premier League history'
Manchester United had started Saturday with an outside chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League by finishing fourth in the Premier League.
However, Manchester City's draw against Swansea in their final game means United are effectively out of the running, with City three points clear of United and possessing a goal difference that is 18 better than that of their rivals.
Sean Bones, vice-chairman of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, said: "It is obviously a dark day in Premier League history. We have obviously got to give our thanks to the club and the authorities for getting supporters out of the ground safely and home to their families.
"If it turns out there was a bomb at Old Trafford, it is obviously a concern that we have these type of people in our midst and it is going to have a huge effect on security at football matches in the future."
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36297390
They are now saying "the device" which was blown up after the stadium was evacuated was "non viable" but it sure did look real (from other reports).
Some articles are blaming this on "Republican Terrorism" (over here that means modern Irish/IRA clones not rabid senators) but that was certainly not my first thought.
Now the older versions of the IRA made it a hallmark to call in a warning so if that happened it probably was a new wave of an old problem; but I do have to wonder given the recent ISIL/ISIS threat to the UK?
My other thought was that whomever did it has now learned they can shut down even extremely important sports or other public venues by simply putting fake bombs in them.
After a lot of fake ones, people are likely to get careless and then well...it only takes one...
BBC
Old Trafford: Controlled explosion carried out as Man Utd game called off
35 minutes ago From the section Football
Bomb disposal unit outside Old Trafford
Army personnel at Old Trafford remove the remote-control bomb disposal vehicle
A controlled explosion has been carried out at Old Trafford after a suspect package was found before Manchester United's match against Bournemouth.
Greater Manchester Police described the device as "incredibly lifelike" but later confirmed it "wasn't viable".
The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End were evacuated before the game and sniffer dogs brought in.
Kick-off, due at 15:00 BST, was delayed and shortly afterwards the match was abandoned on police advice.
A bomb disposal team carried out the explosion at about 16:30 BST.
Greater Manchester Police confirmed the controlled explosion on Twitter
Just under two hours earlier, an "operation red code" alert had been heard over the public address system, and the players who were warming up had left the field.
Fans were then advised that, because of "the discovery of a suspect package in the north-west quadrant of the ground, the match has been abandoned for today on police advice".
Supporters who were still in the ground were advised to stay in their seats while the forecourt was cleared of fans who had been in the two stands that were evacuated.
Jump media player
Media player help
Out of media player. Press enter to return or tab to continue.
Manchester United v Bournemouth abandoned
While the evacuation was occurring, Manchester United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward spoke to Premier League chairman Richard Scudamore about the game being called off, BBC Sport's football correspondent Phil McNulty revealed.
The Premier League has announced it is looking to rearrange the match as soon as possible.
"The game will definitely need to be played but there are logistical issues that need to be resolved," a statement read.
"However, they cannot even start to begin discussing them until the police have done what they need to do here [at Old Trafford]."
Speaking before the controlled explosion was carried out, assistant chief constable John O'Hare of Greater Manchester Police said their priority "was to ensure the safety of everyone in the stadium and surrounding area".
He said "military colleagues" were assisting with the incident, adding: "We don't make these decisions lightly and we have done this today [abandoned the match] to ensure the safety of all those attending."
United players were seen leaving the ground shortly after 16:30 BST. BBC commentator Conor McNamara said he saw Bournemouth players and staff boarding their team bus outside Old Trafford around an hour later.
The south coast club later confirmed they would be flying back to Bournemouth on Sunday night.
'A dark day in Premier League history'
Manchester United had started Saturday with an outside chance of qualifying for next season's Champions League by finishing fourth in the Premier League.
However, Manchester City's draw against Swansea in their final game means United are effectively out of the running, with City three points clear of United and possessing a goal difference that is 18 better than that of their rivals.
Sean Bones, vice-chairman of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust, said: "It is obviously a dark day in Premier League history. We have obviously got to give our thanks to the club and the authorities for getting supporters out of the ground safely and home to their families.
"If it turns out there was a bomb at Old Trafford, it is obviously a concern that we have these type of people in our midst and it is going to have a huge effect on security at football matches in the future."
http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/36297390
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