A FAKE bomb left behind during a security exercise led police to evacuate Manchester United’s home stadium, Old Trafford, on Sunday, disrupting the final day of the English Premier League season and bringing embarrassment to one of the world’s best-known sports teams.

    Police initially described the device as “incredibly lifelike” as United’s planned match with Bournemouth was canceled, to boos from some fans, and a controlled explosion was carried out.

    But hours later, bomb technicians reported it was a fake. And a later statement by police said the device had been inadvertently left in a toilet during an earlier training exercise involving sniffer dogs.

    The series of events Sunday came amid tightened security at Premier League stadiums following last year’s Paris attacks that targeted the Stade de France sports stadium as well as cafes, bars and a concert hall.

    It also followed the British Government’s announcement Wednesday that it was raising the nation’s threat level due to intelligence indicating the “strong possibility’’ of attacks in Britain by factions of the outlawed Irish Republican Army.

    The Premier League has rescheduled the match for Tuesday. United said it was investigating the incident.

    Sunday’s match was the first Premier League game to be postponed because of a bomb threat.

    Sunday’s scare was set off after Manchester United staff found a suspicious device in a toilet in the northwest corner of one of the stands, police said.

    Hours later, Greater Manchester Police announced that the suspect item was not a “viable device.’’

    Earlier in the day, police had maintained a strong presence outside Old Trafford as fire engines attended the scene. Sniffer dogs were also seen inside the stadium.

    About 3,000 Bournemouth fans are estimated to have made the trip to Old Trafford for the game. Bournemouth is a town on the south coast of England, and it is a round trip of about 800 kilometers to the northern city of Manchester.

    The match was one of 10 taking place on the final day of the Premier League season. The other nine matches went ahead.

    United was vying with Manchester City to finish in fourth place in the Premier League and qualify for the Champions League. City drew 1-1 at Swansea, effectively ending United’s top-four chances.

    United has to beat Bournemouth by a 19-goal margin or more to climb above City.

    Leicester ended its remarkable title-winning season with a 1-1 draw against manager Claudio Ranieri’s former club Chelsea on Sunday.

    Leicester finished the season top with 81 points, 10 points above its closest rival Arsenal, which beat Aston Villa 4-0. Tottenham Hotspur was third with 70 points after it was defeated by Newcastle 5-1.

    Following a disappointing season, Chelsea finished 10th.

    (SD-Agencies)