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Italy success overruled

UEFA decided that the title of Under-16 champions would not be awarded after Italy's Roberto Secci had not been eligible to play in the competition for the eventual winners.

The trophy was not awarded to any nation in 1987
The trophy was not awarded to any nation in 1987 ©UEFA.com

The 1986/87 tournament was staged in France, with Italy beating the Soviet Union 1-0 in the final. However, it was then ruled that Roberto Secci had not been eligible to play in the competition, and UEFA decided that the title of Under-16 champions would not be awarded. The USSR would be celebrating two months later, however, after defeating Nigeria 3-1 on penalties after a 1-1 draw in the final of the FIFA U-16 World Championship in Canada. No European team would repeat that feat for 14 years.