Ballon d'Or 2020 award to not be awarded

France Football announced that Ballon d’Or will not be awarded this season. The reason that is given is a “lack of sufficient fair conditions.” The French publication that organizes football’s most prestigious individual prize, believes that the effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the sport at such an elite level have been considerable and hence, it would be unfair to declare a 2020 winner.

It will be the first time since the Ballon d’Or launched in 1956 that its ballot to decide the finest player in the world will not be taken. Barcelona superstar and skipper Lionel Messi claimed the award for a record sixth time in 2019 while United States forward Megan Rapinoe lifted the Ballon d’Or Feminin.

Football across the globe shut down in March due to the rising threat of the coronavirus. Although the Premier League, La Liga, Serie A and the Bundesliga all returned behind closed doors, Ligue 1 was one of the top-flights to cancel its 2019-20 schedule.

France Football released a statement that read, “A singular year cannot and should not be treated as an ordinary year. When in doubt, it is better to abstain than to persist. The fairness that prevails for this honorary title could not be preserved, in particular at the statistical level and also in terms of preparation since all the aspirants to the award could not be housed in the same boat, some have seen their season cut off radically, others not. So how do you compare the incomparable?”

“The Ballon d’Or story is too precious to take the risk of damaging it with a wobbly exercise. In these turbulent times, taking a break is a luxury and an invaluable necessity. So that football, as a whole, regains momentum and passion and emotion,” the statement concluded. 

featured image credits- FIFA.com