Three Chelsea staff members have been suspended after they damaged the Champions League trophy in an unauthorised photo shoot.
One of its handles was hanging off after members of Chelsea’s security team posed for pictures with the prestigious trophy outside their regular shifts.
The trophy was returned to its cabinet with the handle put back in place but the hasty repair job wasn’t good enough to fool another eagle-eyed staff member, who reported the damage.
The Blues sent the trophy off for repairs and it has since been returned to its display cabinet.
London’s Daily Mail reported that Chelsea CEO Ron Gourlay has launched an investigation into the incident. The club has confirmed that the visit by the three security staff was unauthorised and they did not have permission to be in the building after work hours.
While the trophy is usually locked away, Chelsea have been passing it around staff departments to share the joy of winning Europe’s premier club competition after almost a decade of trying.
A club spokesman told the Daily Mail: ‘The trophy was accidentally damaged while pictures were being taken. It was minor damage and has already been repaired. We don’t make comment on staff matters.’
