Chelsea say damage to replica Champions League trophy was accidental

Chelsea's Jose Bosingwa holds up the trophy at the end of the Champions League final (AP)

Chelsea are confident damage to a replica Champions League trophy was accidental.

Members of night-shift security staff posed with the European Cup, similar to that won by the Blues in Munich last month, at Stamford Bridge for personal photographs, during which time one of the handles came away.

Chelsea had been passing the trophy around departments during the week for the 400-strong staff to have photos taken.

The club have conducted an internal investigation, with reports suggesting staff had been suspended over the course of that process, and now consider the matter closed.

A club spokesman said: "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."

PA