Manchester City officials called in police after a teenage fan made off with the title-winning ball in the club's Premier League triumph.
The ball went missing in the melee that followed striker Sergio Aguero's last-ditch winner against QPR last Sunday when fans streamed on to the pitch at the Etihad Stadium as the final whistle blew.
The club viewed CCTV footage which identified a 17-year-old youth picking up the ball.
It then decided that the matter should be brought to the attention of Greater Manchester Police who arrested him on suspicion of theft.
Shortly after his arrest he was "de-arrested" when Manchester City opted not to press charges and instead arranged a meeting with him to ask for their ball back.
A spokesman for Greater Manchester Police said: "On Thursday, police were contacted by staff at Manchester City FC who said they wanted to report the theft of a match football.
"Acting on information provided, the following day officers arrested a 17-year-old boy on suspicion of theft but de-arrested him shortly after.
"It was decided the most appropriate cause of action was to use Restorative Justice, so the boy was taken to the Etihad Stadium where he met with security staff and resolved the matter."