UEFA apologises after running out of medals during Europa League final ceremony

UEFA has issued an apology after running out of winners' medals during the Europa League final trophy ceremony on Wednesday. 

The shortage occurred when more Tottenham Hotspur players than expected, including injured squad members, came forward to receive medals.

Tottenham captain Son Heung-min, along with two other players at the end of the line, did not receive medals on stage despite their 1-0 victory over Manchester United, which secured the club’s fourth European title. Son ultimately lifted the trophy without a medal.

In a statement reported by British media on Thursday, UEFA explained: “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.”

The governing body added that the missing medals were quickly delivered to the team’s dressing room, along with a formal apology for the oversight.