The football World Cup held in Russia finally came to a close yesterday. However, it was a final to remember because the match between France and Croatia felt like a microcosm of the entire tournament. There was a controversial VAR decision, three brilliant goals, a pitch invasion, the Croatian President‘s heart-warming hugs and Putin’s umbrella. However, to top it all off in the most hilarious way possible, viewers think there was a theft at the prize distribution ceremony.
After bringing the World Cup to a close with a 4-2 victory over Croatia, the French team went to receive their prize from Russian President Vladimir Putin. And the footage shows someone performing a sleight of hand with one of the gold medals.
The video that’s been doing the rounds of the internet shows Antoine Griezmann on the podium receiving his medal and then moving on. However, when the camera zooms in, a woman standing behind Putin can be seen putting a medal in her pocket. Twitter user @TheRealCosbo even rewinds the video to show it again.
Now, although there’s no doubt that the woman pockets a medal, it isn’t quite right to accuse someone of theft without knowing the full story. There’s a possibility that it was an extra medal and she was keeping it so that she could return it to the officials later. But try convincing the internet that that could’ve been the case.
You can watch the video here:
Am I the only one who saw this woman steal a medal?! 👀😂🤦🏿♂️
Did she think we wouldn’t see? What don’t I know! #WorldCupFinal #france pic.twitter.com/NPepuHLKjN
— Cosby Siringi (@TheRealCosbo) July 15, 2018
The internet exploded with theories about the woman and the gold medal which even involved Vladimir Putin and Harry Kane. Go figure.
1. That’s one way to use the VAR.
https://twitter.com/_mwes/status/1018585695617724417
2. If she’s a Messi fan, she’s forgiven.
https://twitter.com/MeninistSports/status/1018666957468561408
3. Now, why would he do that?
Putin helped a lady steal a medal 🤔 #WorldCupFinal pic.twitter.com/OKzFxxIVXX
— Most Creative™ 🇺🇬 (@Phathahofficial) July 15, 2018
4. This sounds like the opening of an episode of ‘Crime Patrol’.
A world cup medal thief is on the loose🏅🏃 this woman 😂😂 https://t.co/8C02wV5JeP
— Czar Gomazana (@CGomazana) July 16, 2018
5. Can we take the “phone your Putin” option?
Tie breaker question in your local soccer quiz, “can you name the woman who stole a World Cup medal”.!!!!😳😳 https://t.co/0FkY2Cmodr
— Danny Broderick (@dannybroderick1) July 15, 2018
6. Only in Mother Russia.
Vladimir Putin helped this woman steal a #WorldCupFinal medal! Quality! Love the guy. No other leader would do anything like this, especially at his own ceremony 🤣 https://t.co/RZZrlJBcof
— David (@CountKeita) July 15, 2018
7. Probably because it’s made of gold?
Ladies! Ladies!! Ladies!!!
How and Why will you Steal a Medal in this Type of Tournament?
Lord God Almighty!!!
☹️☹️🤔🤔🤔 https://t.co/eHH6odrTct— Everyday People (@scanaranbaxy) July 15, 2018
8. That’s one dude who deserves it.
Harry Kane claimed it.
— Ian (@ianlfc05) July 15, 2018
9. Welp!
Straight on eBay
— Pete (@kloppsarmy81) July 15, 2018
10. We’ve got a lip-reader here!
It looks like Putin says something to her then she says "I've got one, yes"
— Paul Brooks (@only1PaulBrooks) July 15, 2018
Considering how this little moment that most of us had probably missed has blown up, FIFA will probably will come up with an explanation about that World Cup medal. But until they do, what’s your verdict on this incident?