I read a bizarre story in the news today. Manchester United, who are due to play the mighty Exeter City in the FA Cup in January have been successful in banning their opposition’s players from performing their trademark celebration if they score.

Exeter City players commonly impersonate an aeroplane after scoring and for the FA Cup tie will be paid £1,000 by budget airline Flybe for every goal they score.

Man Utd fans have kicked up stink (just for a change) and have banned this celebration as they claim it is disrespectful to the 21 people, including seven players who died in the 1958 Munich air disaster.

Now, before anyone thinks I am being disrespectful towards the disaster, I am not. It was a terrible tragedy in which many innocent, good civilians and players lost their lives, a tragic day for football and the family & friends of the victims. The thing is… its almost 50 years ago! 100,000’s of people have died in aeroplane disasters since then (what about the September 11th events?).

The celebrations have no connection to Manchester United at all, so no malice or disrespect is or was ever intended.

I have no pictures of Exeter City players performing their goal celebration. What I do have however is numerous images of MANCHESTER UNITED players performing aeroplane style goal celebrations! Maybe I’m missing something, but why is it ok for them to do it and not their opponents?

I’m not taking the piss or having a dig at Man Utd like I have in the past when they’ve lost – I am genuinely confused! If anyone can explain, please let me know!

P.S. Sorry about all the red non ManU fans! :o)

For those interested, here is the original article.