A policeman's report of a mystery cluster of lights darting across the sky during an FA Cup replay between Chelsea and Manchester United is among a series of UFO sightings in government files released today.
The mounted officer’s claims to have seen the bright object hovering over Stamford Bridge in March 1999 for almost 15 seconds, slowly changing shape, were corroborated by a colleague.
The ‘credible witness report’ is one of a series investigated by the Ministry of Defence, whose top-secret files are being released in sections by the National Archives following the closure of the ministry’s UFO desk in 2009.UFO above Chelsea ground, secret
files reveal
files reveal
The UFO files: Sightings at an FA Cup quarter final and a field in Wales are just two detailed in the 6,700 page document
Unaware Andy: Manchester United player Andy Cole was too busy battling for the ball with Chelsea's Frank Leboeuf and Bernard Lambourde in the FA Cup quarter-final replay to look up and see a UFO
One confidential 1995 report by the defence official responsible for manning the desk says the presence of extra-terrestrial lifeforms is ‘possible’, although there is ‘no direct evidence’.
It also speculates on the reasons why aliens may be visiting Earth, including for military reconnaissance, scientific research, or just to enjoy the scenery and partake in some tourism.
