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Tuesday, 20 November, 2001, 17:08 GMT

Charlton's Munich tribute

Karl-Heinz Rummenigge and Sir Bobby Charlton have laid a wreath on the site of the 1958 Munich air crash

Rummenigge and Charlton lay the wreath

Sir Bobby Charlton and Karl-Heinz Rummenigge have laid a wreath at the site of the 1958 Munich air crash.

The wreath was laid in memory of the 24 victims of the tragedy, which occured on 6 February, when the plane carrying the Manchester United team crashed on take-off.

The aircraft carrying Sir Matt Busby's side had stopped to refuel in Munich on their way home from a European Cup tie against Red Star Belgrade in Yugoslavia.

Eight of Charlton's Manchester United team-mates, including Duncan Edwards, Tommy Taylor and Roger Byrne, were among those killed.

Reflecting on the tragedy, Sir Bobby Charlton told BBC Five Live: "It was a very difficult time.

"It was a major event in sports history and we have a lot to thank the people of Munich for."

Charlton, who emerged unscathed from the wreckage, laid the wreath with Rummenigge, who is a Bayern Munich director, before United's Champions League game against the German side.