Los 40 USA
NewslettersSign in to commentAPP
spainSPAINchileCHILEcolombiaCOLOMBIAusaUSAmexicoMEXICOlatin usaLATIN USAamericaAMERICA

EUROPA LEAGUE

Manchester United cancel Europa League press conference

Jose Mourinho will not hold a pre-match press conference before the Europa League final against Ajax on Wednesday, following the terror attack in Manchester.
Manchester United v. Manchester City live online

Update:
Manchester United cancel Europa League press conference
Getty Images

Jose Mourinho will not address the media prior to the Europa League final following the bomb blast in Manchester.

UEFA has  assured fans that there is no intelligence to suggest the event will be at risk. 

Mourinho was due to speak in Stockholm

The Portuguese was due to speak at around 18:00 local time in Stockholm on Tuesday ahead of Manchester United's game against Ajax at the Friends Arena 24 hours later.

However, United requested the appearance be cancelled and UEFA has agreed in light of the attack which saw 22 people killed and 59 injured following an explosion at the end of an Ariana Grande concert at the Manchester Arena on Monday.

The incident is being treated by police as a terror attack, with Greater Manchester Police Chief Constable Ian Hopkins later confirming that the suspect died at the scene after allegedly detonating an "improvised explosive device".

UEFA release Manchester statement

A UEFA statement read: "Following last night’s attack in Manchester, UEFA has received and accepted an official request from Manchester United not to hold their pre-match press conference, which was scheduled to take place at the Friends Arena in Stockholm this evening.

"Manchester United’s training session at their own Carrington training ground in Manchester will take place as scheduled at 12:00 CET."

The wife and daughters of Pep Guardiola, manager of neighbouring Manchester City, were caught up in the attack at the Manchester Arena.

United offer condolences

United's players held a minute's silence at training as a mark of respect for the victims while the club also released a statement expressing their shock at events in the city and confirming the club's megastore, museum, Red Cafe and stadium tours would be closed for the day.

It read: "Everyone at Manchester United is deeply shocked by last night’s terrible events at the Manchester Arena.

"Our thoughts and prayers go out to all those affected, including our supporters, club staff and members of our community such as the children from our Manchester United Foundation partner schools who were attending the concert at the Arena.

"Club staff are ready to help the police and other emergency services in any way that may be required at this challenging time for our city."

Messages of support and solidarity have poured in from around the football world, with Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney among those to post messages through social media.