A former Crystal Palace defender has recalled an 'awkward' drug test story following his side's FA Cup final loss to Manchester United in 2016.
Jason Puncheon had given Palace the lead that day in the 78th minute but Juan Mata had equalised for Louis van Gaal's side just moments later.
In extra time, Chris Smalling was sent off for United but it did not matter as five minutes later Jesse Lingard's strike sealed a 2-1 win for the Red Devils.
Following the final whistle Damien Delaney, who was playing at centre half for Palace that day, was called in for drug testing alongside two United stars.
Recounting the tale on Off the Ball, Delaney said: "I remember I was drug tested straight after the game so I never actually got to go back into the dressing room.
"I was sat in a tiny, little cubicle with Juan Mata and I think (Marcos) Rojo and the three of us were just sitting there really awkward with their medals around their necks.
"We were joined by two drug testers so it was strange just trying to make conversations with the two of them.
"They were more saying to me 'hard luck' but I think the two of them were speaking to each other in Spanish.
"They were not elated and that was one thing I remember when I left that room thinking, I know winning a trophy for them was hugely important, but I always got the sense that it would have mattered an awful lot more to me.
"I was sitting there thinking 'oh, lads, you guys have got a medal round your neck, I'd give my left arm to have that."
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