Northampton win over Cardiff marred by hoax security alert
Northampton Saints beat Cardiff 28-12 at Franklin's Gardens on Sunday in the Champions Cup, but a security scare straight after the final whistle took attention away from the result. Police now believe the incident was a hoax.
The Champions Cup is rugby union's leading European club competition. The 15-a-side code is distinct from rugby league, with contests for the ball at the ruck — the tangle on the ground after a tackle — plus the scrum and lineout. On this occasion, Northampton had the better of the rugby. The match kicked off at 17:30.
Northamptonshire Police were called to the Northampton stadium at about 19:00 BST following threats made on social media, BBC Sport reported. That timing placed the call close to full time, as an 80-minute match with stoppages and a half-time break will usually finish around two hours after kick-off. Officers attended Franklin's Gardens to assess the reports.
As a precautionary measure, players from both Northampton and Cardiff left the field immediately after the final whistle. They did not linger for the usual post-match exchanges. The quick exit was intended to limit any risk while checks were carried out.
The force said enquiries into the incident remain ongoing. It said officers are working with Saints and policing partners on the investigation. That work will seek to establish where the social media threats came from and why they were made, BBC Sport reported.
What makes this stand out is how little disruption reached the action itself. The game was completed. The 28-12 scoreline stood. The precaution came at the very end, when players would normally thank supporters and each other.
For supporters in the ground, it must have been a confusing close to the evening. A clear home win in Europe should be a moment to enjoy. Instead there were questions about safety, followed by reassurance that officers believe the threats were not credible. Police have not suggested anyone was harmed, and the investigation continues.
Saints and Cardiff will now turn back to rugby. Northampton have points on the board early in the European campaign. Cardiff must regroup before their next test.
