News

‘Conditions not met’ – Organizers cancel 2020 Ballon d’Or because of COVID-19

Published

4 years ago

July 20, 2020

This year’s Ballon d’Or awards for the world’s best players will not be given, organizers have said.

According to the organisers, France Football, the decision was taken after considering the “lack of sufficient fair conditions” created by the coronavirus pandemic.

Football activities were halted across Europe and the world in March and only started resuming in June, with games being played behind closed doors due to the virus.

The prize has been awarded by France Football every year since 1956, but a “crippled” year 2020 will not have one.

“There will be no edition in 2020, because it turns out, after thoughtful consideration, that all the conditions are not met,” said Pascal Ferre, the editor of the magazine.

“We did not want to put an indelible asterisk on the prize list like ‘trophy won in exceptional circumstances due to the Covid-19 health crisis’

“Protecting the credibility and legitimacy of such an award also means ensuring its flawlessness over time.”

The organizers also suggested that it would not be right to judge players based on games played without spectators present.

Argentina and Barcelona forward, Lionel Messi won the prize for a record sixth time last year.

Megan Rapinoe won the 2019 women’s prize after co-captaining the US to victory at last year’s World Cup.

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now