A theft at the Munich memorial for the 1958 Manchester United air disaster has left the Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation (MMMF) deeply saddened. German newspaper *Hallo München* reported that on Monday a glass display case at Manchesterplatz in Munich was broken and several items were taken. Police said the break‑in occurred between 08:00 and 13:00 local time and that a stone had smashed the case. The memorial, which commemorates the crash that killed 23 people—including eight Manchester United players—was expanded in 2020 with a new glass case that was officially opened in 2023.
The 1958 tragedy happened when the United team’s plane was refuelling in Munich before attempting to take off for Belgrade. Eight of the club’s players died in the crash, and the site has become a place of remembrance for families and fans worldwide. The MMMF, which manages the memorial, said Manchester United had offered to cover the repair costs, but the foundation had decided to handle the expenses itself. Chairperson Ifty Ahmed expressed that while the thieves may have damaged the case and stolen valuable objects, they cannot erase the memories or the friendship between Manchester and Munich. Ahmed also thanked Red Docs Munich, a Bayern Munich supporters’ group that helps maintain the memorial, for acting quickly to replace the broken glass the same day.
Mark Salzmann, chairman of Red Docs Munich, revealed that his mother noticed the damage while driving past the memorial. The stolen items included a glass sculpture that had originally been presented to Munich’s former mayor, Dieter Reiter, and several medals that the supporters’ group collects from fans around the world. Salzmann said the items were unique and difficult to replace, but the group is considering working with the foundation to source replacements. He highlighted the strong messages of support that have arrived, underscoring the enduring friendship between the two cities.
The incident has prompted the BBC to reach out to both Munich Police and Manchester United for comment. The MMMF has already replaced the broken glass, and the foundation remains committed to preserving the memorial’s integrity. The theft has drawn attention to the importance of safeguarding the physical artifacts that commemorate a tragedy that continues to resonate with supporters and families alike.