The Manchester Munich Memorial Foundation (MMMF) says it was “deeply saddened” after items commemmorating the victims were stolen from a memorial in Germany.
German newspaper Hallo München said the items were taken from a glass display case at Manchesterplatz in Munich on Monday, 26 October.
Munich Police told local reporters the case had been smashed with a stone and said the incident was believed to have happened between 08:00 and 13:00 local time.
The memorial marks the site of the 1958 plane crash which killed 23 people, including eight Manchester United players, as the club’s party returned from a European Cup match in Belgrade.
The MMMF said Manchester United had offered to pay for repairs, but the foundation had agreed to cover the costs itself.
Its chair, Ifty Ahmed, said: “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.”
He said the memorial was particularly important to the families of those who died and Manchester United supporters around the world.
Ahmed thanked Red Docs Munich, a Bayern Munich supporters’ group which helps care for the memorial, for acting quickly to repair the damage.
The foundation said the broken glass was replaced on the same day.