What a complete farce.
It cost many people a great deal of money, time, stress and worry. Everyone thought that one of the country’s biggest sporting stadia was the subject of a terrorist attack. In the end, it was the result of a monumental blunder.
The ‘suspicious package’ turned out to be a fake prop-bomb that had been left behind by a private company carrying out a security training exercise earlier in the previous week. This fact was confirmed in very diplomatic terms by Greater Manchester Police.
Suspicious item found at Old Trafford today, which required controlled explosion, was a training device https://t.co/55n06zNwU3
— Greater Manchester Police (@gmpolice) May 15, 2016
Latest statement from @gmpolice. Incident at Old Trafford was due to a "training device." pic.twitter.com/owzzCrfUpu
— Richard Conway (@richard_conway) May 15, 2016
Despite the serious aspects of the situation, no one could quite believe the sheer f**kwittery of what had happened. There was a combination of bafflement, dismay and hilarity at the mother of all f**kups at the Theatres of LOLS.
Here are just a few of the responses to a ridiculous situation that would be more suited to Brass Eye than breaking news…
That device in the United toilet was knocking about for four days…
— Jack Gaughan (@Jack_Gaughan) May 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/Footyy365/status/731962563269931009
The security men to blame for this cock-up? Ed Woodward head hunted them! pic.twitter.com/xei4DrCUWg
— Barney @Red News (@barneyrednews) May 15, 2016
Too much for me this. I need a lie down. Buzzing if it looked like an actual bomb that Wile E. Coyote used to try and kill Roadrunner with.
— Macca (@The_Paris_Angel) May 15, 2016
Incompetence. Following United around since 2013.
— tatiana tacca (@TatianaMUFC) May 15, 2016
"Got everything?"
"Yep"
"You've cleared up after the training exercise?"
"Yep"
"Because if you've lef"
"Look, shut up & let's go to the pub"— Nick Miller (@NickMiller79) May 15, 2016
Mike: "Steve, you picked it up, yeah?"
Steve: "No, mate, Jeff did"
Jeff: "No I didn't. John got it"
John: Oh fuck.https://t.co/nt6bOZCBkD— Amanda (@Pandamoanimum) May 15, 2016
Manchester United have literally turned into Mr Bean.
— United Religion (@Unitedology) May 15, 2016
Our saviours at Old Trafford pic.twitter.com/PjnDVi3NGI
— Darren Richman (@darrenrichman) May 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/Oli_Row/status/731955436635758593
This season has dragged Man Utd's reputation through the mud. Mistake after mistake. The club's in disarray and it stems up to the top.
— Liam Canning (@LiamPaulCanning) May 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/BreatheSport/status/731957093524209667
Object found at Old Trafford was initially thought to pose a threat but turned out to be harmless pic.twitter.com/jTAJs3QMKm
— JB™️ (@gunnerpunner) May 15, 2016
EXCLUSIVE: Footage of the 'suspect package' being removed from Old Trafford pic.twitter.com/UHKF4WTiBs
— Ronan Murphy (@swearimnotpaul) May 15, 2016
I can imagine this is what the original training drill looked like. pic.twitter.com/cjRcq3mfK1
— Bill.I.Am (@sidneymufc) May 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/A_W_Gordon/status/731958539099508737
https://twitter.com/ALICECLARKE2/status/731962070686683136
"@AP: Police say fake bomb at Old Trafford had been left in soccer stadium following earlier security exercise." pic.twitter.com/Cx5P2cdpYh
— Michael Parthum (@MichaelParthum) May 15, 2016
https://twitter.com/sarm0161/status/731956918315589632
There’s only one man that can make sure Old Trafford safety is up to scratch. pic.twitter.com/tyvKvTYCCr
— Kris Heneage (@KHeneage) May 15, 2016
Woodward will be on the phone tomorrow looking for a 'bomb disposal sponsor'.
— Pilib De Brún (Phil Brown) (@Malachians) May 15, 2016
The device left behind following a Man Utd training exercise has now been named as Eric Djemba-Djemba who famously bombed in the PL in 2003.
— Danny Baker (@prodnose) May 15, 2016
Knowing United, they'll probably give the incompetent security firm another year because they dont want to be seen as a sacking club.
— Alex. (@miserable_mancc) May 15, 2016
This article originally appeared on JOE.co.uk
