The Incident
After the game, a video began circulating on social media showing some Newcastle fans mocking the Munich Air disaster. Northumbria Police have since revealed that a 41-year-old man from North Shields has been charged with a public order offense following an investigation into these offensive remarks.
The man has been released on bail with specific conditions and has been prohibited from attending St James’ Park during match days. A spokesperson for the police department stressed that this type of behaviour has absolutely no place in our communities and that they take reports of this nature very seriously.
2 Newcastle fans mocking the Manchester United Air Disaster after beating Man City yesterday….pic.twitter.com/xJl2zvDPe6
— The 44 ⚽️ (@The_Forty_Four) September 28, 2023
Club’s Reaction
Newcastle United reacted to the incident, stating, “Tragedy-related chanting and gesturing are completely unacceptable. We are committed to working with authorities and the wider football community to eradicate it.”
The Munich Air Disaster
The Munich air disaster occurred on 6 February 1958 when British European Airways Flight 609 crashed on its third attempt to take off from a slush-covered runway at Munich-Riem Airport, West Germany. On the plane were the Manchester United football team, nicknamed the “Busby Babes”, along with supporters and journalists.
Twenty-three of the 44 passengers on board the aircraft died in the disaster. Among the victims were eight Manchester United players. The incident sent shockwaves through the football world and had a profound impact on Manchester United Football Club.
