Thomas Vermaelen 'told to give back' his Champions League winners medal - as he didn't play a single minute in the competition

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Thomas Vermaelen has apparently been asked to give back his Champions League winners' medal, after failing to play a single minute in the competition this season.

The Belgian defender, signed from Arsenal last summer, endured an injury-hit first season at the Nou Camp where he made just one appearance all season.

Luis Enrique's team won the treble this term after beating Juventus in the Champions League final at the weekend, but according to reports in Belgium, Vermaelen won't be able to keep his medal.

The report comes from Voetbalkrant - we're not sure on the reliability of this - who state that Vermaelen, as well as Claudio Bravo, Doulgas and Jordi Masip, have been asked to give back their medals.

Vermaelen was pictured being given a medal by Uefa President Michel Platini in Berlin on Saturday night.

There was bad news for Arsenal on Monday as it was made clear that Barcelona would not be paying a £3million add-on for Vermaelen.