POLICE have launched a major theft investigation after thousands of pounds in cash was stolen from the players' changing rooms at Southampton Football Club.
Officers were called to St Mary's Stadium shortly after the final whistle had blown in Saints' 1-0 defeat by Burnley on Saturday afternoon.
Club staff and officials who were at the ground during the afternoon were quizzed by police after the discovery that more than £2,500-worth of players' money had disappeared.
It is believed that items of jewellery belonging to the players of both teams may have also been swiped.
The thief is said to have struck some time between 3.55pm and 5.15pm, when the discovery was made, after players returned to the pitch following the half-time break.
A total of five Southampton players have reported cash missing from the dressing rooms. Their identities are being kept secret, but the Daily Echo understands it includes some high profile names from the main squad.
A further nine members of the Burnley team also reported cash missing from their wallets and bags.
It is believed that the entire sum has been reimbursed to them by bosses at Saints following the discovery.
It is not known if both the home and away changing rooms at the ground remain unlocked during the game, but they are within a restricted access area of the stadium.
It is understood that no one is allowed into the excluded section of the ground on a matchday without first showing a special wristband to a member of security staff.
With Saints facing the serious threat of a disastrous relegation to League One - the third tier of English football - the police investigation into a serious breach of matchday security could not have come at a worse time.
Boardroom wranglings as former chairmen Rupert Lowe and Michael Wilde plan a dramatic return to power have threatened to distract the club from its main objective of staying in The Championship.
But with footballers the victims of theft as they played and staff questioned by police, the preparations for the crucial final two games of the season have been thrown into yet more turmoil.
Last night a club spokesman said: "We can confirm there was an incident which we are investigating but we cannot comment further until we have more details."
A spokesman for Hampshire police confirmed officers from Southampton responded to a call from the club and attended the ground following Saturday's defeat. They are now investigating the theft.
Nobody has been arrested.
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