Vermaelen ordered to return Champions League medal

Thomas Vermaelen looks set to return his Champions League winners medal, despite picking it up barley a week ago in Barcelona’s 3-1 win over Italian side Juventus.
The 29-year-old has been the subject of ridicule after his side completed a famous treble this season.
Despite his club’s success, the fact that Vermaelen played zero minutes of Champions League football this season means he was not eligible for a medal.
As a result, UEFA will not allow Vermaelen to keep his winner’s medal. The Belgium international’s exclusion from the Barcelona team has also prevented his former club, Arsenal, from receiving a significant pay-out.
The North London side were in line to receive an extra £2.9m bonus, thanks to his cup final success, but due to the centre-back not playing a single minute of Barca’s European campaign, that clause in his contract was voided.
Vermaelen moved from Arsenal to Barcelona in 2014 and has struggled to make an impression after suffering with a series of hamstring injuries.
The former Ajax man also has the issue of attempting to displace either Gerard Pique or Javier Mascherano for a place in the starting XI.
Vermaelen will be hoping that an injury-free pre-season could lead to more game time in 2015/16.