A suspicious package found at Rochdale AFC's stadium was 'deemed to be non-viable' after a controlled explosion was carried out, police have said.
The alert led to the evacuation of the Crown Oil Arena and a number of residents in properties nearby.
Police have now confirmed that an investigation has been launched and enquiries are continuing.
Several sources have told the M.E.N. the item was a tablet device with wires sticking out of it, but GMP have provided no further details.
Bomb disposal officers arrived at the club's stadium in the Spotland area of Rochdale at around 3pm on Wednesday.
A large cordon was put in place and police said 'a number of households' on Mons Avenue, which runs adjacent to the stadium, were evacuated.
The circumstances surrounding the package's presence at the stadium also hasn't been revealed.
In a statement released on Thursday, GMP said: "Shortly after 3.06pm on Wednesday, police were called to reports of a suspicious package at Spotland Stadium, Rochdale.
"Staff from the stadium and a number of households on Mons Avenue were evacuated.
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"Bomb disposal officers attended and a controlled explosion of the package was carried out.
"The scene has been closed and people allowed to return to their properties.
"The package was deemed to be non-viable. Enquiries are ongoing."
Chief Inspector Niall Hayden-Pawson said: "Public safety is our first priority and I'd like to thank residents for their patience while officers dealt with this incident.
"I would also like to thank the effective partnership working between ourselves, the club and the local authority during our response."
A specialist robot was sent into the ground to examine the package ahead of the controlled explosion.
A second white van - unmarked but understood to be another bomb disposal unit - arrived at the club not long afterwards.
Sandy Lane was then closed off, as well as streets surrounding the scene.
All those evacuated were allowed back into their homes later on Wednesday evening.
On Twitter, Rochdale said it was business as normal on Thursday.
The League One club said: "Further to yesterday's police incident, we can confirm that the Crown Oil Arena will be open as normal from 9am this morning."
