LONDON, May 20: 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 said.

Ashdown, who did not play in the final, said his medal had been taken from inside a jacket pocket.—Reuters

Opinion

Editorial

A difficult story
Updated 12 Jun, 2026

A difficult story

Unless productivity becomes the dominant target of economic policy, Pakistan will continue to oscillate between crises and fragile recovery.
Rough waters
12 Jun, 2026

Rough waters

AMONGST the key potential triggers for fresh conflict in South Asia is water. The Indian state is behaving in an...
Politicised football
12 Jun, 2026

Politicised football

ALMOST three-and-half years since Lionel Messi led Argentina to FIFA World Cup glory, the latest edition of...
GB polls’ aftermath
Updated 11 Jun, 2026

GB polls’ aftermath

The new administration must address the region’s issues proactively.
Peace in retreat
11 Jun, 2026

Peace in retreat

THE ceasefire announced in April was supposed to create space for negotiations. Instead, it has been repeatedly...
A few good men
11 Jun, 2026

A few good men

IT was a brave move, no doubt. This Tuesday, in the land of the Afghan Taliban, a few good men decided to take a...