A glass sculpture and medals have been stolen from a memorial commemorating the 23 victims of the 1958 Munich air disaster, including eight Manchester United players. The theft occurred at Manchesterplatz in Munich, where the display case was smashed with a rock between 08:00 and 13:00 local time on Monday, 26 October.
Munich Police confirmed the break-in and have appealed for witnesses. The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation (MMMF) said it was "deeply saddened" by the incident. Foundation chair Ifty Ahmed told BBC News the theft caused emotional harm to families of the victims, adding: "Whatever they've taken from inside the showcase, they haven't taken our memories."
Mark Salzmann, chairman of Red Docs Munich — a Bayern Munich supporters' group that helps maintain the memorial — said his mother discovered the damage. Among the stolen items was a glass sculpture originally presented to Munich's former mayor, Dieter Reiter. The foundation said the broken glass was replaced the same day, though some memorabilia remains missing.
Manchester United offered to cover repair costs, but the foundation agreed to pay itself. Supporters of rival clubs, including Liverpool, Manchester City, and Leeds, sent messages of solidarity. About 1,500 people attended the annual remembrance service at the site in February. The memorial stone was installed in 2004, with the display case added in 2020 and officially inaugurated in 2023. Police have made no arrests.
