Chijioke Gabriel
UEFA has apologised for running out of winners’ medals during the Europa League final trophy ceremony on Wednesday after more Tottenham Hotspur players than expected lined up to receive their individual prizes.
Spurs captain Son Heung-min and two other players, the last to line up for individual medals, were left empty-handed after their team beat Manchester United 1-0 to win the club’s fourth European title on Wednesday.
Son lifted the trophy without a medal around his neck.
“To our great displeasure, we did not have enough medals available on stage during the trophy ceremony presentation due to an unexpected discrepancy in the player count …” British media quoted European soccer’s governing body as saying on Thursday.
“More team members – including injured players – participated in the ceremony than initially anticipated.
“The missing medals were promptly delivered to the winning team in the dressing room, along with our sincerest apologies for the oversight.”
A Brennan Johnson first half goal secured Spurs not only a first major trophy in 17 years but a place in next season’s UEFA Champions League.
It is Spurs’ third Europa League title after landing the trophy in the 1971/1972 and 1983/1984 seasons.
Also, Ange Postecoglou’s side recorded their fourth straight win against United this campaign.