Revealed: How United tried to cash in on Munich tribute

My Account
Logout

Create an Evening Standard Account

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Welcome! Sign in here

Use your social network

Save time by using your existing account to sign in to Evening Standard

We'll never share your information or post anything to your account without your permission

Forgot your password ?

Registration

* indicates fields that are mandatory

Email *

Password *

Confirm Password *

First name *

Surname *

Postcode *

Country *

Mobile phone number

Username *

Gender *

Year of birth *

When you sign up...

You will have access to all our online competitions, discounted offers and can post comments on our site.

You will also receive The Weekender newsletter sent every Thursday - it’s full of fantastic offers and ideas for the weekend. You can update your email preferences in your account page when you log in.

Other newsletters and emails

Homes & Property Newsletter - Yes I want to receive the weekly email with all the latest news on property in the capital

Occasionally we would also like to send you relevant emails detailing specific offers either from ourselves or carefully selected partners. If you would prefer not to receive these then please tick the appropriate boxes below. We will never pass on your details.

I do not want to receive additional offers and information from the Evening Standard

I do not want to receive additional offers and information sent by Evening Standard on behalf of carefully selected partners

Terms and Conditions

* I have read, understood and agree to be bound by the terms and conditions of Evening Standard

Registration

Mail Sent for Registration Confirmation.

A confirmation email has been sent. Please activate your account by clicking on the activation link sent in your mail box.

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.

Scroll down for more

Eight Busby Babes and three club officials were killed in the crash

Only MUTV, the club's own TV station, will be allowed to have cameras at the event, being held on Wednesday 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 on Monday — 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.'