Manchester United’s Premier League game with Bournemouth has been abandoned “due to safety fears”.
As The Telegraph reports, fans in The Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End were evacuated at around 2.30pm after a “suspect package” was found in the North West corner of Old Trafford.
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Kickoff was initially delayed until 3.45pm, but Bournemouth’s Twitter account soon confirmed that the match was abandoned, meaning that the Premier League season will not finish today.
BREAKING: #MUNBOU has been abandoned due to safety fears at Old Trafford. #afcb #MUFC
— AFC Bournemouth (@afcbournemouth) May 15, 2016
The Telegraph adds that supporters located in the other two stands began to be evacuated after 3.00pm as news of the abandonment spread, and that the process was still ongoing at 3.25pm.
Told by reliable sources that bomb squad in attendance at OT. Relates to mobile phone device. Might have to carry out controlled explosion.
— Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) May 15, 2016
This incident will be a concern to the footballing authorities and security services ahead of Euro 2016 this summer, with fears that the tournament in France could be the target of terrorist activity.
United were aiming to beat Bournemouth this afternoon to put themselves in contention to qualify for the Champions League. Those hopes will be over if Manchester City win against Swansea City.
A new date for the fixture will have to be found. The Red Devils play Crystal Palace in the FA Cup final next Saturday and Louis van Gaal will not want another game to disrupt their preparations.
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