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Items stolen from Man Utd Munich air disaster memorial

Haider SaleemNorth West
Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation A large rectangular glass display case with a black metal frame stands on a grey concrete base outdoors at Manchesterplatz in Munich. It contains historical information, photographs and tributes arranged behind the glass.Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation
The glass display case at Manchesterplatz, which has been fixed, contains memorabilia and tributes commemorating the Munich air disaster

A glass sculpture and medals have been stolen from a memorial to the 23 people killed in the Munich air disaster, including eight Manchester United players.

The items were taken from a display case at Manchesterplatz in Munich, where the plane crashed on take-off on 6 February 1958 after refuelling on its return from a European Cup match in Belgrade.

Munich Police said the glass case around the memorial was smashed with a rock when the items were taken between 08:00 and 13:00 local time on Monday 26 October.

The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation (MMMF) said it was "deeply saddened", while its chair, Ifty Ahmed, said the theft had caused emotional harm to families.

Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation A close-up view inside the damaged glass display case at the Manchesterplatz memorial in Munich. Large sections of shattered safety glass, broken into numerous small fragments and jagged sheets, cover the left side of the display and some of the football memorabilia. A large rectangular grey stone block lies near the centre-right.Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation
The memorial foundation said the glass was repaired on the same day, but some memorabilia remains missing
Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation a close up of items in the memorial. Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation
The foundation's chair has said it was still unclear exactly how many medals were missing

"They don't understand the damage that they've caused," Ahmed told BBC News.

He said the memorial had provided solace for families who lost loved ones in the crash.

"And whatever they've taken from inside the showcase, they haven't taken our memories," he said.

Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation Four men stand in front of the glass Manchester United memorial display at Manchesterplatz in Munich during a remembrance service. On the far left is Gerry Rhoades-Brown. Next to him, aIfty holding a handheld microphone, To his right stands former Manchester United goalkeeper Alex Stepney, an older man with short white hair, wearing a dark overcoat, white shirt and black tie. On the far right is Rick McGagh.Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation
Ifty Ahmed (second left) has urged those responsible to return the stolen items, saying they mean so much to Manchester United supporters and families of those killed in the Munich air disaster

Mark Salzmann, chairman of Red Docs Munich, a Bayern Munich supporters' group which helps care for the memorial, said his mother discovered the damage while driving past.

Salzmann said a glass sculpture originally presented to Munich's former mayor, Dieter Reiter, was among the stolen items.

His group collects tributes left by visitors from around the world and places some of them in the display case.

He said the objects were unique and could not easily be replaced, but the group was discussing possible replacements with the foundation.

Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation A large crowd of people gathers outdoors at Manchesterplatz in Munich for a remembrance service commemorating the victims of the 1958 Munich air disaster. Hundreds of supporters stand closely together, many wearing thick winter coats, scarves, woolly hats and Manchester United colours of red, white and black.Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation
About 1,500 people attended the annual remembrance service at Manchesterplatz in February, according to the memorial foundation

Ahmed said it was still unclear exactly how many medals were missing.

He said Manchester United had offered to pay for repairs, but the foundation had already agreed to cover the costs itself.

The broken glass was replaced on the same day, according to the foundation.

Ahmed said supporters of Liverpool, Manchester City and Leeds had also sent messages of support.

Getty Images A sign showing the time and date of the Munich aeroplane crash at Old Trafford football ground. Skipper Roger Byrne, England internationals Tommy Taylor and Duncan Edwards, plus Geoff Bent, Eddie Colman, Mark Jones, David Pegg and Billy Whelan were the Manchester United players killedGetty Images
Eight Manchester United players were among 23 passengers killed in the Munich air crash in 1958
Reuters A close-up of a young person, shown from the shoulders to the upper legs, wearing a red, white and black commemorative scarf. There is an illustration of a clock face and the word "MUNICH" at below and 'FEB 6th 1958' above. Reuters
A scarf bearing the date 6 February 1958, marking the Munich air disaster

A memorial stone was installed in 2004, while the display case was added in 2020 and officially inaugurated in 2023.

About 1,500 people from around the world attended the annual remembrance service at Manchesterplatz in February, according to the foundation.

Salzmann said the messages of support he had received showed how important the memorial was, adding that the connection between Manchester and Munich "will never go away".

Police said no suspects had been arrested and appealed for witnesses or anyone with information to come forward.

The BBC has contacted Manchester United for comment.

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