Portuguese Police recover stolen Women’s Champions League trophy

Portuguese authorities have recovered the Women’s Champions League trophy, which was stolen from Estadio Jose Alvalade in Lisbon.

The theft occurred before the highly anticipated final between reigning champions Barcelona and Arsenal.

Authorities acted swiftly after the incident, ensuring the safety of the trophy ahead of the match.

The trophy was stolen during a league match between Sporting Lisbon and Vitoria Guimaraes on Saturday.

However, the theft was not reported to police until the following day, raising concerns about the delay in reporting the incident.

Despite this, officials were determined to recover the trophy promptly.

In an official statement, police clarified that “several individuals wearing balaclavas forced open a gate” in the stadium’s garage.

This is where the highly prized trophy was being stored, and the theft indicates a planned criminal act rather than a spontaneous incident.

The Estadio Jose Alvalade is set to host the tournament’s final on May 24.

Alongside the trophy, other items belonging to UEFA, European football’s governing body, were also stolen during the incident.

Police Authorities have confirmed that all stolen items have since been returned to UEFA.

The police investigation has so far identified 13 suspects linked to the theft.

However, no details regarding the operation that led to the recovery of the items have been disclosed.

The investigation remains active, with authorities expecting to retrieve additional stolen property and make further arrests in the coming days.

The recovery of the trophy ensures that preparations for the Women’s Champions League final can proceed as planned, with fans eagerly awaiting the clash between two of Europe’s top football clubs.

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