THE HEAD OF a security firm has accepted “full responsibility” for accidentally leaving behind an imitation bomb that caused Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium to be evacuated on Sunday.

Chris Reid, managing director of Security Search Management and Solutions, said he was “devastated” by the blunder, which left United facing a multi-million-pound bill.

“This mistake is entirely mine,” Reid told reporters outside his southeast London home.

I have to take full responsibility for leaving a training item behind on Wednesday.

The device, which consisted of a fake pipe bomb attached to a mobile phone, was discovered minutes before United’s final Premier League game of the season against Bournemouth started on Sunday.

Bomb disposal van leaving Old Trafford after the game was called off. Martin Rickett / PA Wire Martin Rickett / PA Wire / PA Wire

The stadium was evacuated and the bomb was removed by bomb disposal experts. After the bomb was safely detonated the police announced that the suspect device was “incredibly lifelike” but “wasn’t viable”.

The game was called off immediately after the discovery of the device and the two teams will now meet this evening at 8pm in Old Trafford.

Reid, a retired Scotland Yard police officer, explained that the device had been left hanging from the back of a toilet cubicle door during a training exercise for five dog handlers.

He had a similar device in his bag, which he presumed was the one that he had left in the toilet. He said:

I am absolutely devastated that a lapse in my working protocols has resulted in many people being disappointed, frightened and inconvenienced. Nothing I can say will rectify that.

Fans being evacuated from Old Trafford on Sunday Mike Egerton / PA Wire Mike Egerton / PA Wire / PA Wire

United promised to reimburse the tickets of the 75,000 fans who were evacuated from the stadium and give them free entry to tonight’s match. This could cost the club more than £3 million (€3.8 million).

United’s website states:

Ticket refunds will be given – and entry to the rescheduled match on Tuesday will be free following the abandonment of Manchester United’s home match against Bournemouth on Sunday.

Bournemouth have also offered free coach travel for supporters travelling to the rearranged game.

 © – AFP, 2016

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