http://www.dailymail.co.uk/pages/li...sts.html?in_article_id=512327&in_page_id=1951 Manchester United were last night embroiled in an unseemly row over the Munich memorial service after trying to charge £5,000 for television footage of the event. BBC top brass in London were furious after being told they would have to pay for pictures from a service commemorating the plane crash 50 years ago, which killed eight of the Busby Babes and three club officials. Only MUTV, the club's own TV station, will be allowed to have cameras at the event, being held tomorrow in an Old Trafford suite. United were told in fierce correspondence that such a fee 'ran against every convention' governing TV news access for high-profile events as well as giving the 'scandalous' impression that the club were looking to benefit from Munich 50 years on. Feelings in Manchester are running high about any commercial aspect to the anniversary. A giant Munich mural at Old Trafford was paint bombed because it contained the logo of United kit sponsors AIG. Old Trafford officials told the BBC they were only demanding a fee in retaliation for the corporation's behaviour in January 2006, when they sent MUTV a bill for £4,765, plus VAT, for their share of the TV rights to George Best's funeral. The fee was later reduced to £3,500. The row degenerated with the BBC claiming they had given United's cheque to charity and Old Trafford demanding to see evidence of the donation. Such tit-for-tat wrangling reflects badly on both organisations, suggesting they were attempting to profit from two sensitive and emotional occasions. It was only yesterday — after Sports Agenda had contacted United over the matter — that they embarked on a U-turn and damage limitation exercise. United chief executive and MUTV chairman David Gill informed the Beeb the TV rights fee was now being waived. Gill's email read: "Notwithstanding the fact that the BBC charged MUTV for pictures of the George Best funeral, the board of MUTV have decided to provide live pictures of the 50th anniversary memorial service free of charge." A BBC spokesman said: "We can confirm we are taking footage of the memorial service from MUTV and we are pleased to be able to bring coverage of this event to BBC viewers."
God I hope we never end up going down this far down the seedy corporate road. Saw a picture of the Busby Babes banner with the AIG logo in the corner, pretty insensitive alright. No wonder the mancs were goin' nuts over it.
Hope LFC doesn't do anything tasteless next year on the 20th Annisversary of Hillsborough just like what Utd's hierarchy tried to do with the Mural to the Munich tragedy
the Memorial Service is being held in an Old Trafford Suite? don't know why but i automatically assumed they were having a Service in the Stadium.surely with the Year that's in it and the interest around it they would've had no problem filling Old Trafford for a Memorial Service?
If the BBC stopped showing their games, there'd be a change in attitude sooner than you can say "broadcast". The BBC are allowing them to get away with..... Ignorance.
As Liverpool supporters just take a moment for the people who lost their lives and not for who they played for.or the greed. RIP. (mods please delete if not acceptable for the thread)
Is this a just in from the pub post? There is nobody here at all being disrespectful for those that lost their lives in this tragedy, what we are pointing out is how Utd themselves are disrespecting them. Having the club sponsor on a Munich memorial - totally out of order. Even considering charging tv stations to broadcast the memorial - totally out of order The fact its the Mancs doesnt change that what they have done or attempted to do with regard to this anniversary is morally wrong.
if you see that jersey they wore today for sale in a few weeks then they are even worse then anyone could imagin
anyone notice what the first two ads on their electronic ad boards were after kick off???aig and then nike,i was thinking it was a soft sop to them for lack of logo's on the playing kit
EBAY ACT ON SCARVES Items commemorating the Manchester United Munich plane crash have been removed from sale online by eBay. Bidding for an 'Official Manchester United Munich Memorial Scarf and Match Programme' appeared to top nearly £10million on the auction website within 24 hours of it being advertised. The scarf was handed out to spectators at the Manchester United v Manchester City derby yesterday, according to a fan who attended the game. An eBay spokeswoman said: "Due to the unique and commemorative nature of the scarves handed out at Sunday's football match at Manchester United, eBay will not allow the sale of these items on the site. "We are working to ensure these listings are removed from the site immediately." She said the "potential for profit to be made from human tragedy" conflicted with the site's Offensive Material policy. The Munich air crash on February 6 1958 claimed the lives of 23 people, including football coaches and eight Manchester United players. Munich plane crash survivor and former Manchester United player Albert Scanlon said: "You don't go to these things to make money." No one from Manchester United FC could be reached for comment.