Portsmouth's FA Cup final celebrations were marred at the weekend when two players had their winners' medals stolen.
England defender Glen Johnson and reserve goalkeeper Jamie Ashdown were the victims of the thefts which were discovered when the players returned to their hotel in Windsor, west of London, following Sunday's victory parade in Portsmouth.
Former Chelsea player Johnson, who played the full 90 minutes in Portsmouth's 1-0 win over Cardiff City, said his medal had been taken from his washbag.
"I'm so disappointed, I'm just keeping my fingers crossed that someone's going to give it back," he told the Portsmouth Web site (www.portsmouthfc.co.uk).
Ashdown, who did not play in the final, said his medal had been taken from inside a jacket pocket.
Peter Storrie, the club's chief executive, said the incident had put a dampener on the club's first FA Cup final success since 1939.
Lyon win seventh straight Ligue 1 title
"If someone has taken these medals they have deprived our players of a lifelong dream," he said.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the medals had been reported stolen on Monday and were carrying out investigations.
© 2024 Rediff.com -