Suspicious package found at Manchester United stadium was fake bomb from earlier security exercise

Credit: Alex Livesey

Credit: Alex Livesey

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

A Premier League soccer match was canceled Sunday after someone found a suspicious package.

Greater Manchester police said bomb experts were on the scene at Old Trafford stadium, where they carried out a controlled explosion. They described what they found as an "incredibly lifelike explosive device" but said the device "wasn't viable."

Turns out, the device was a fake bomb left at the stadium following an earlier security exercise.

Manchester United was supposed to take on Bournemouth at the stadium. It was the team's last league match of the season.

Manchester United initially tweeted that the game was delayed but later said the match had been "abandoned ... on police advice."

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The BBC reports two stands were evacuated and bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in.

Premier League said in a statement, "It is always the last resort to abandon one of our fixtures and while we apologize for the inconvenience caused to fans we are sure, in the circumstances, they will appreciate the need to do so."

The league said it would reschedule the match as soon as possible.

This video includes images from Getty Images and music from Chris Zabriskie / CC by 4.0.

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