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False ‘Life-Like’ Bomb Bursts Premiere League Finale’s Bubble | ASHARQ AL-AWSAT English Archive 2005 -2017
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Manchester Policeman at the Old Trafford stadium, E.P.A.


London- In light of finding a suspicious package at the Old Trafford stadium, just before the start of Manchester United’s Premier, security officials cancelled the game, badgering the spirit of the highly anticipated finale.

Manchester police and an army bomb-disposal unit used a controlled explosion to destroy a suspicious package- said to be a mobile phone attached to a pipe, taped to the back of a stadium lavatory that was found 20 minutes before the game kickoff. The device was later determined unviable.

The stadium, containing a crowd of 75,000, had to be evacuated as the controlled explosion took place.
Sir Alex Ferguson Stand and the Stretford End were evacuated first, a few minutes before match kickoff, while fans on other grades of the amphitheater were urged to keep calm.

Manchester Police later confirmed that the package described as a “life-like” bomb was unintentionally left behind, by a private company at the stadium following a training exercise involving explosive sniffer dogs held last Wednesday, reported Sky Sports. The game was then re-arranged for Tuesday night.

The surreal last day of play-offs witnessed a dramatic turn out. Arsenal finishing second, as Tottenham Hotspur F.C. lost (5-1) up against Newcastle United F.C., as Manchester City grabbed the final Champions League spot, placing fourth, after the (1-1) draw with Swansea City A.F.C.

Meanwhile, Chelsea signed off their unpleasant season with a (1-1) draw against champions Leicester.