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Sam Maguire is tough but it seems that the Champions League trophy is a bit more fragile, as the newest holders have broken it already.

We expect a lot of our sporting trophies in this country. Sam Maguire has had more children sit in it than that mini-Postman Pat van outside your local newsagent while Liam MacCarthy has endured his fair share of abuse down the years too. As far as we know, both remain intact.

However, European club football’s biggest prize, the European Cup, needs more careful handling. According to reports today, Chelsea, who only got their hands on it last month, have already broken one of the famous handles.

Fox Sports reports that three members of the club’s staff are in hot water after allegedly breaking it while taking pictures with it at a time when they shouldn’t have even had access to the trophy.

They allegedly left the cup back with one of the handles hanging loose but another staffer noticed it and alerted management.

The good news is the cup has been repaired but the trio involved have been supended, pending an investigation by the London club.

"The trophy was accidentally damaged while pictures were being taken," said a club spokesman.

"It was minor damage and has already been repaired. We don't make comment on staff matters."

At least they didn’t do this, as Real Madrid did with the Copa del Rey trophy last year.