Barcelona’s drubbing of Celtic in the UEFA Champions League this past week may not have happened at all if the suspect package found at the Camp Nou had proved to be dangerous. The match had already begun on Tuesday night when security officers found a suspicious package stowed away in the stands.
Upon detailed investigation, the object turned out to be a simple case of an abandoned bag that did not contain any explosives or harmful material of any kind.
All credit must be given to Barcelona’s security team who analysed the situation and dealt with it without causing any disruptions to the match. The incident took place during the first half of the match when security personnel noticed the abandoned bag near the area between gate numbers 33 and 37.
Without raising any unnecessary alarm, the emergency forces in the city were sent for to deal with the potential danger.
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While the investigation was being conducted, all access in and out of the two gates was restricted and audience members were redirected to different exits. After a thorough examination that lasted 15 minutes, all alarms were called off as the suspicious package was determined to be a harmless albeit lost bag.
This incident, as soon as it became known, sounded reminiscent of what had happened in the final weeks of the Premier League last season at Old Trafford. A dubious package was found in the stands followed by a good deal of controlled commotion.
The stadium was evacuated, the match between Manchester United and Bournemouth called off only to find out later, the package was a dummy bomb left behind by a private security firm that had carried out evacuation drills there earlier.
The incident at Camp Nou may not have escalated that far but the security concern was genuine. Ever since the attempt to attack the friendly match between France and Germany was foiled in Paris, concern over safety at football stadiums during matches have risen.
The officers who carried out the inspection during the match should be commended for their cool-headed approach that didn't get in the way of the proceedings on the pitch.
The night ended with a hat-trick for Lionel Messi, a brace for Luis Suarez, a goal each for Neymar Jr. and Iniesta and absolutely nothing for Celtic. As Barcelona beat the Irish club 7-0, the Catalans cemented their biggest win in the UEFA Champions League.
