The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation says it is “deeply saddened” after items remembering victims of the 1958 Munich air disaster were stolen from the memorial at Manchesterplatz in Germany.
The Munich memorial display (Credits: BBC Sport)
Munich memorial display case smashed with a stone
According to German newspaper Hallo München, four medals and a crystal trophy were taken from the glass display case on Monday. Munich Police told local reporters the case had been smashed with a stone, and the theft is believed to have happened between 08:00 and 13:00 local time.
The memorial marks the site where the plane carrying Manchester United back from a European Cup tie in Belgrade crashed while trying to take off on 6 February 1958, killing 23 people including eight United players. A memorial stone was installed in 2004, with the glass display case added in 2020 and officially inaugurated in 2023.
Foundation vows: “They cannot steal our memories”
The foundation said Manchester United had offered to pay for the memorial’s repair, but it would cover the costs itself. The broken glass was replaced the same day – thanks to Red Docs Munich, a Bayern Munich supporters’ group that helps care for the memorial.
Foundation chair Ifty Ahmed said: “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.” The BBC has contacted Munich Police and Manchester United for comment.
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Source: BBC Sport — read the full story there.
