A memorial for the 1958 Munich air disaster has been vandalised.
Twenty-three people — including eight Manchester United players and three staff — were killed when their plane crashed on a Munich runway in February 1958.
A commemorative glass box, which also houses Man United memorabilia, was set up in “Manchesterplatz” in Munich to mark the tragedy.
Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation (MMMF) has confirmed the display case was broken into and various items were stolen.
The foundation said the club offered to pay for repairs, but MMMF had already done so.
“The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation is deeply saddened by this act of vandalism and theft,” MMMF chair Ifty Ahmed said.
“Manchesterplatz is a place of enormous significance to the families of the 23 people who lost their lives as a result of the Munich Air Disaster, and to Manchester United supporters across the world.
“We are particularly grateful to our friends in Munich, especially the Red Docs, for their continued care and dedication to this very special place, and for acting so swiftly to repair the damage.
“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.
“Their memory will endure, and the bond between Manchester and Munich will remain unbreakable.”
