Inquiry called into Utd match bomb ‘fiasco’

The game between Manchester United and Bournemouth at Old Trafford stadium in Manchester was called off yesterday after the fake bomb was discovered in a toilet close to kick-off time.

A controlled explosion was carried out on the device, which police said was accidentally left by a private security firm. Greater Manchester’s police and crime commissioner, Tony Lloyd, today said it was necessary to find out how the bogus explosive was left behind by a security company.

“It is outrageous this situation arose and a full inquiry is required to urgently find out how this happened, why it happened and who will be held accountable,” he said.

“This fiasco caused massive inconvenience to supporters who had come from far and wide to watch the match, wasted the time of huge numbers of police officers and the army’s bomb squad,” he added.

The discovery of the dummy bomb prompted the evacuation of the 75,000-seat Old Trafford stadium minutes before Manchester United’s last game of the season was due to start.

The Premier League match has been rearranged for Tuesday at 20:00 local UK time.However, United will refund all tickets and allow ticket holders from both clubs to watch the re-arranged game for free. The gesture is estimated to cost United 3 million pounds.