Manchester Munich memorial theft has left supporters saddened after treasured artefacts honouring victims of the 1958 air disaster were stolen
The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation has expressed sadness after treasured artefacts commemorating victims of the 1958 Munich Air Disaster were stolen from a memorial in Munich, Germany, in an incident that has renewed attention on the importance of preserving the history of one of football’s darkest tragedies.
The theft occurred on Monday, October 26, at Manchesterplatz, where a glass display case containing memorabilia was reportedly smashed with a stone. Munich Police told local reporters that the incident was believed to have taken place between 8am and 1pm local time.
Among the missing objects was a glass sculpture originally presented to Munich’s former mayor, Dieter Reiter, as well as several medals.
The items were kept in a display case at the memorial, which honours those who died when a plane carrying Manchester United’s team crashed while attempting to take off from Munich Airport on February 6, 1958.
The disaster claimed 23 lives, including eight Manchester United players. The team had been returning from a European Cup match against Red Star Belgrade in what was then Yugoslavia, with the aircraft stopping in Munich to refuel before the fatal take-off attempt.
Mark Salzmann, chairman of Red Docs Munich, a group of Bayern Munich supporters involved in maintaining the memorial, described the stolen objects as unique and difficult to replace.
The group regularly collects tributes left by football supporters from different parts of the world and places some of them in the memorial’s display case.
Salzmann said his mother discovered the damage while driving past the site and stopped after noticing that something was wrong.
The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation chairman, Ifty Ahmed, said the theft would not erase the memory of those who died or undermine the enduring friendship between Manchester and Munich.
“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,” Ahmed said.
He stressed that the memorial held particular significance for the victims’ families and Manchester United supporters around the world. Ahmed also praised Red Docs Munich for responding promptly and helping to restore the damaged display.
Manchester United reportedly offered to pay for the repairs, but the foundation chose to meet the cost itself. The broken glass was replaced on the same day.
Salzmann said Red Docs Munich was considering working with the foundation to source replacement items, although the original objects would be difficult to replicate.
The incident has also drawn attention to the memorial’s role beyond commemorating the disaster.
Over the years, it has served as a place where supporters from different clubs and countries can leave tributes, reflecting how the tragedy remains part of football’s shared history.
The 1958 disaster, commonly known as the Munich Air Disaster, remains a defining moment in Manchester United’s history.
The loss of players and other passengers devastated the club, while the subsequent rebuilding of the team became an enduring part of its identity.
Although the theft damaged the physical display, Ahmed’s response underlined the foundation’s determination to protect the memorial’s purpose. The stolen artefacts may be difficult to replace, but the remembrance they represented remains central to the relationship between the two cities.
The BBC said it had contacted Munich Police and Manchester United for comment.
The circumstances surrounding the theft, including the identity of those responsible and any possible motive, had not been established in the supplied report.
