HALF the Premier League trophy had to be secretly replaced after being stolen, The Sun can reveal.
Thieves in Belgium nicked a suitcase containing the crown and base of the prized football silverware, valued at £250,000.
The Premier League managed to keep the theft under wraps, and
the items have never been found.
The revelation yesterday came as the Premier League announced the new season’s fixtures, with Man United home to Fulham the first match on August 16.
But Prem chiefs were less keen to publicise that a suitcase containing the top of the trophy and weighty 15.9kg base had been stolen at a corporate event in Belgium.
It was believed the thieves did not realise what was inside, and the missing parts may have since been melted down.
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There are two identical trophies, both insured for £250,000.
One is kept by the champs while the other belongs to the Premier League and gets taken around the world.
It often has its own plane seat, and is normally heavily protected by a guard at events.
Asprey London, which made the trophies, was asked to produce another identical crown and base after the theft in late 2022.
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In 1966, four months before the World Cup kicked off in England, the Jules Rimet Trophy was famously stolen in London.
A week later, David Corbett was walking his dog Pickles when the collie found it in bushes at Upper Norwood, South London.
Corbett got £5,000 while Pickles received a medal.
The Premier League was approached for comment.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
