Thieves smash Munich air disaster memorial display case and steal treasured items honouring eight Man Utd players | Football News
For nearly seven decades, Manchester and Munich have shared a connection forged by one of football’s darkest tragedies, with a memorial at the site of the 1958 air disaster serving as a place of remembrance for families and supporters. That memorial has now been targeted by thieves, who smashed a glass display case and removed treasured items commemorating the 23 people who lost their lives.
Thieves break into Munich memorial display case
A glass sculpture and several medals have been stolen from a memorial commemorating the victims of the Munich air disaster, including eight Manchester United players, after criminals broke into a display case at Manchesterplatz in Munich.According to Munich Police, the glass was smashed using a stone, with the theft believed to have taken place between 08:00 and 13:00 local time on Monday, October 26. The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation (MMMF), which helps preserve the site and its history, confirmed that the display had been damaged and that some of its memorabilia remained missing.
Thieves allegedly used a stone to smash the glass display case at Munich’s memorial/ Image: Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation via BBC
Among the stolen objects was a glass sculpture originally presented to Munich’s former mayor, Dieter Reiter. Mark Salzmann, chairman of Red Docs Munich, a Bayern Munich supporters’ group involved in caring for the memorial, said the exact number of missing medals was still unclear.According to the BBC, Salzmann’s mother discovered the damage while driving past the memorial, after which members of the group began assessing what had been taken. Red Docs Munich regularly collects tributes left by visitors from around the world and places selected items inside the display case, making the theft particularly distressing for those who have helped maintain the memorial.
Foundation chair says theft has hurt families
Ifty Ahmed, chairman of the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation, said the incident had caused considerable emotional distress to families who lost relatives in the disaster, explaining that the memorial had become a place where they could find solace.Speaking to BBC News, Ahmed said: “They don’t understand the damage that they’ve caused.”He also made clear that the stolen objects could not erase the memories associated with the memorial, adding: “And whatever they’ve taken from inside the showcase, they haven’t taken our memories.”In a statement issued on Thursday, October 29, Ahmed said:“The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation is deeply saddened by this act of vandalism and theft.“Manchesterplatz is a place of enormous significance to the families of the 23 people who lost their lives as a result of the Munich Air Disaster, and to Manchester United supporters across the world.“We are particularly grateful to our friends in Munich, especially the Red Docs, for their continued care and dedication to this very special place, and for acting so swiftly to repair the damage.“Those responsible may have damaged a display case and stolen treasured items, but they cannot steal our memories, diminish our friendship or destroy the legacy of those we remember. Their memory will endure, and the bond between Manchester and Munich will remain unbreakable.”
Manchester United and rival supporters offer support
The foundation confirmed that the broken glass was replaced on the same day as the incident, although several commemorative objects have yet to be recovered. Manchester United offered to cover the repair costs, but Ahmed said the foundation had already agreed to meet the expense itself.The response has also extended beyond Manchester United’s own supporters, with Ahmed revealing that fans of Liverpool, Manchester City and Leeds United had sent messages of support following the theft.Salzmann said the objects inside the display were unique and could not easily be replaced, although Red Docs Munich and the foundation were discussing possible replacements.The foundation has urged those responsible to return the stolen objects, which hold considerable sentimental value for the families and supporters who visit the site.
What happened in the 1958 Munich air disaster?
The memorial commemorates the Munich air disaster of February 6, 1958, when a British European Airways Flight 609 crashed during take-off at Munich-Riem Airport after refuelling on its return from a European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade in Yugoslavia.The crash claimed 23 lives, including eight Manchester United players and three members of the club’s staff. Among the footballers killed were club captain Roger Byrne, England internationals Tommy Taylor and Duncan Edwards, alongside Geoff Bent, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg and Billy Whelan.The tragedy devastated a Manchester United side managed by Matt Busby, whose young team had become known as the Busby Babes. Several players survived the crash, including Bobby Charlton, who would later become one of the most celebrated figures in English football.Manchesterplatz has remained an important place of remembrance for the victims and their families. A memorial stone was installed there in 2004, while the glass display case was added in 2020 and officially inaugurated in 2023.The annual remembrance service continues to attract supporters and visitors from around the world, with approximately 1,500 people attending the February ceremony this year, according to the foundation.Salzmann said the support received following the theft reflected the enduring relationship between the two cities, adding that the connection between Manchester and Munich “will never go away.”
