Adam Wharton bemoaned being forced to miss part of Crystal Palace’s Conference League celebrations after he was selected for doping testing.
Crystal Palace won their first European trophy in history, beating La Liga side Rayo Vallecano 1-0 at the Red Bull Arena in Leipzig.
Jean-Philippe Mateta prodded home Palace’s second-half winner to give Oliver Glasner the perfect send-off as he leaves his role as manager.
Wharton was especially delighted after the game as he missed last year’s FA Cup final win over Manchester City through injury.
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The England midfielder was keen to begin celebrating with his teammates and the emotional fans inside the stadium but revealed he had to temporarily leave to be tested for doping.
Players can be randomly selected for testing at any point and Wharton was told after the game that he would be required to undergo a UEFA doping test.
‘I missed out on the FA Cup celebrations last year so I’m definitely going to make up for it this time,’ said Wharton, who was left out of England’s World Cup squad.
‘I can’t put this feeling into words but you can see what it means to the fans. It’s incredible, unbelievable.
‘We knew they were going to be tough to break down, they’re a very well-drilled team. They work hard and they’re very intense, they’re one of the most intense teams in La Liga.
‘It was cagey at the start of the game but we grew into it and found some space and exploited it.
‘We should have scored another really and made it a bit easier for ourselves and our fans but we got the job done, it was a great performance.’
Asked about Palace’s plans to celebrate their Conference League triumph, Wharton added: ‘It’s going to be big, as I said I missed the FA Cup last year so I’ve got two celebrations to catch up on.
‘I’ve got doping unfortunately which ruins my party a bit but hopefully I can get that over quickly and get on the beers and the alcohol.’
Wharton also paid tribute to departing Palace boss Glasner, saying: ‘The difference he’s made is incredible.
‘Three trophies, the first three trophies in the history of the club and now the first European trophy.
‘He’s got to be one of the best managers Crystal Palace have ever had. He’s made a massive difference.’
Responding to Wharton’s revelation that had been selected by doping control, TNT Sports presenter Jules Breach said: ‘There must be nothing worse as a player to be told, “you’ve got to go to doping, you’re going to miss out on all this now!”
Former Premier League defender Joleon Lescott added: ‘To be fair it never happened to me in a massive game but it happened in a normal game and I just wanted to get on the coach and get away from the stadium.
‘Wharton will be sitting in there with one of the opposition players as well so you’ll be feeling for him as well.’
After guiding Crystal Palace to their first European trophy, departing manager Glasner said: ‘A fantastic evening, this group of players and fans deserve it.
‘I see myself as part of the group. As a manager, you cannot do anything alone. You need great staff and especially you need great players and people.
‘This is what this group is. They always stick together and work hard. Since day one, we have created the mindset that everything is possible if you work hard.’
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