Not just sporty in times of crisis
Infestation of mice in the stadium of a top English club
12/24/2024 – 2:26 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
In terms of sport, things are not going well at Manchester United. Now the “Red Devils” have the next problem. Your own stadium is infested by mice. That has consequences.
The English record champions Manchester United are still in crisis. In December, the world club from the north of England was only able to achieve three wins in seven competitive games so far. On the other hand, there are four defeats, including a bitter 3-0 defeat against AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
United’s stadium is currently in focus for another reason. The so-called “Theater of Dreams” is degenerating into a nightmare arena these days. As the “Daily Mail” reports, a plague of mice is plaguing Old Trafford, which has had a major impact on the hygiene rating of the stadium’s catering facilities. While most Premier League clubs have been awarded the maximum rating of five stars, United now only has two stars.
According to the report, food inspectors found evidence of mouse infestation. Corporate suites on the ground floor and a food kiosk in a hall were affected. The result: The rating of the catering industry was drastically downgraded.
How did the infestation come about in Old Trafford of all places? The stadium, which opened in 1910, is located in an area that is particularly attractive to mice. There is a nearby canal on one side and the railway line on the other. The rodents particularly like to hang out here. And: The garbage from around 74,000 spectators at home games exacerbates the problem. Especially in the winter months, mice increasingly move to warmer and more sheltered areas.
Manchester United now emphasized to the Daily Mail that they are using a comprehensive pest control system at Old Trafford. Several checks take place every week. A spokesman for the responsible local council said that the authority was working closely with the association with the aim of improving the situation and implementing the necessary measures.
The hygiene problems are not new for United. Catering at the stadium has already made negative headlines in the past when undercooked chicken was served at a private company event. At that time the rating even fell to one star. Although the rating had since improved to four stars, the recent mouse infestation led to a significant decline again.