From tragedy to mockery: Munichs, by David Peace, reviewed

If you have been to a football match in the past few years you will doubtless be familiar with what the Crown Prosecution Service defines as ‘tragedy-related abuse’. It is when supporters, David Peace writes,

sing, chant or gesture offensive messages about disasters or accidents involving players or fans – including references to the Hillsborough Disaster, Munich Air Crash, Bradford Fire, the Leeds fans killed in Istanbul or the death of Emiliano Sala in a plane crash.

The word ‘Munichs’, for example, is sometimes used as a term of abuse for Manchester United fans, and it’s not unknown for the opposition at Old Trafford to extend their arms, like little children pretending to be aeroplanes.

The abuse directed at Manchester United is not funny or clever, for reasons I don’t need to explain. It can also lead to serious consequences. Earlier this year, an Everton supporter was sentenced to a six-month conditional discharge, ordered to pay a victim surcharge and prosecution costs, and issued with a three-year football banning order for making Munich-related ‘gestures’ at Man United fans. But just in case people are unclear about the source: on 6 February 1958, British European Airways Flight 609, carrying the Manchester United football team known as the Busby Babes, crashed at Munich-Riem Airport. Twenty-three people died at the scene or later from their injuries, including Manchester United players and staff, journalists and the plane’s co-pilot.

In Munichs, Peace seeks to reclaim the humanity of those involved in the tragedy – and the word ‘Munichs’ itself. In an afterword, he boldly puts up a challenge: ‘I would defy anyone to read this novel and then ever use “Munichs” as an insult again.’ He can defy all he likes – people, alas, will continue to be offensive.