Sierra Leonean football fan who flew to Old Trafford only for the game to be cancelled
A Sierra Leonean football fan who traveled all the way from his country to Old Trafford to watch his favourite football club Manchester United play against Bournemouth on Sunday was left dejected after the game was cancelled due to a massive security blunder.
Moses was one of many overseas visitors who were left frustrated when the safety alert led to the postponement of United’s final Barclays Premier League game of the season.
All is not lost for him though because he will be going to Wembley for the FA Cup final thanks to kind-hearted supporters who have offered to pay for a later return flight home and sort him out with a ticket for the FA Cup final at Wembley next weekend.
The alert that led to the evacuation of Manchester United’s ground descended into farce on Sunday night when it emerged that it was sparked by a fake bomb left behind from a security exercise.
Around 76,000 fans were ordered to leave Old Trafford minutes before the scheduled kick-off of the club’s final match of the season this afternoon when an ‘incredibly lifelike explosive device’ was found.
Moses, who works in security in the west African country had been invited by friends at the Manchester United Supporters Trust (MUST).
‘A friend of mind worked with Moses out in Sierra Leone and he said he should come over some time for a game,” said Ian Stirling, vice chair of MUST.
‘We were at the MUST House having a few drinks before the game when news came out there was a suspect package and the game would be delayed until 3.45pm. That was unusual but no real concern, but then when we heard the game was abandoned we had to tell Moses and the poor lad was distraught – being so close to the ground and not being able to go in, not knowing when he might get this chance again,’ added Ian Stirling.
‘We had a quick discussion between us and we’ve agreed to rearrange his flight – so he’ll fly home next week instead of tomorrow – and sort him out with a ticket for the FA Cup final. A couple of friends will put him up in Manchester as well.’
‘He’s still distraught at not getting in to Old Trafford – that was his dream – but we’re trying to do the right thing for a friend, “said Ian Stirling.
