UK & World News
- 25 April 2012, 20:35
Outrage Over Munich Air Crash Page On Facebook
Outraged Manchester United fans have attacked Facebook for refusing to remove a page mocking the 1958 Munich air disaster in which 23 people died - including 11 players and staff.
The group, 'I like to Munich Munich' is named after the 90s pop song 'I like to move it'.
It appears to have been set up by Leeds United fans and contains hundreds of slurs against Man U, mainly based on the 1958 air disaster.
The group's picture has the words "ha ha" above a picture of the wreckage of the aircraft.
The 1958 team was decimated by the crash, which wiped out many of the "Busby babes", including Roger Byrne, the captain, and Tommy Taylor.
Matt Busby, the manager, was left seriously injured and player Duncan Edwards died in hospital 15 days later.
Speaking to the Manchester Evening News (MEN), a spokesman for the club said: "We are very disappointed that Facebook have chosen not to take it down.
"The site is more than controversial.
"It is deeply offensive to those who lost their lives - some of whom were not attached to Manchester United."
The page currently has more than 1,200 'likes'.
But a Facebook spokesman said: "Facebook is a place where people can openly discuss issues and say what they think, governed by reasonable rules.
"Some 845 million people use the site around the world, meaning there will always be views that some people find offensive.
"We have a set of rules intended to maintain a safe environment for the wide range of people using the site, but pages or groups that express a controversial opinion will not be removed just because they are controversial.
"We encourage people who come across content or behaviour that makes them uncomfortable to use our reporting tools."
Wilf McGuinness, who played for and managed United, was one of the Busby babes, but was not on the plane because an injury prevented him from playing.
He told the MEN: "Anybody who could do something like this is an idiot and it sickens you.
"There must be something wrong with them mentally."
what do you think?
Robert Gordon
I not a Leeds or Man U fan but this is a disgrace to all football !!
kyle rambo
its a disgrace to humanity
Gary Djuncleabe Kelly
CTID but this makes me sick to my stomach.
Matthew Stoner
I'm not follower of football, but I think anyone reading this will be echoeing and agreeing with Wilf McGuinness' comment.......couldn't put it better myself.....
john hughes
Simple solution. If facebook refuse to remove the offending article. Then remove yourselves from facebook *****cancel your occounts.
steveroach
Disgraceful,the morons that have done this are an insult to all football,they are also responsible for bringing Leeds United into disrepute,absolutely beyond belief,shame on you
djbentley
I don't know who is worse. The people who set up the site, or Zuckerberg, the puerile and moronic Yank who refuses to take it down. But what does someone like him know about 'soccerball?' Perhaps the Glazers might 'have a word'?
Sarah Lovatt
I'm an Man U fan and this is disgusting. How would Leeds like it if a page of hate was set up against them and the fans that were injured and killed in Turkey? Lets face it, they wouldnt. totally disrespectful. Thankfully not all football fans are like this.
Margaret M. Mason
Margaret M. MasonThis is despicable. Munich was a tragedy for a great number of people in theNorth West not just football supporters. Whole families, Companies and other organisations were devastated. NOT AN EVENT FOR POKING FUN. The moral values of people like this are nil. How low can you get? I fear for future generations if this type of thing is classed as acceptable.
Steve
I am from Liverpool and i think this is beyond contempt.Anyone with an ounce of decency in them will cancel their facebook account and join another social networking site,thers enough to choose from.Facebook should be utterly ashamed.
Pauline Keeling
Shame on you Facebook
Name witheld
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
the massons
So, what facebook guys are saying is, if i create a page that takes the mickey out of and is offensive to zuckerberg, they will leave it up? Worth a go i think!
chuffy1966
Tasteless and crass. Not a big football fan at all, but this is beyond the pale. As for Facebooks response that "there will always be views that some people find offensive.", that's no excuse in this case. While that reason works for most things (politics, religion, etc) this page is designed with only purpose in mind - to offend and upset people.
John Stubbs
always look out for turks carrying knifes
Stephen Duffy
This comment has been removed for violations of our Terms and Conditions.
Alan Jones
Shame on you Leeds, If Facebook don't take down this offensive page i will remove myself and my business from its archives, its past its best anyway and there are other proper social networking sites for the more discerning professional users.
jnh358
as a Liverpool fan, i dont like utd one bit,but taking the mick out of people dying in such horrible fashion, is horrendous. Facebook is a virus that unfortunately has brainwashed the world and they need to remove it
Gavin Nellis
i have deactivated my facebook account because of this,if this was about 9/11 it would have gone in seconds,do the right thing cancel and let them know why you are doing so
Steven Walters
7:48pm on 25/4/2012
Dirty dirty Leeds, Im a Liverpool fan, bloody discraceful