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There Will Be No Ballon d'Or Winner In 2020

There Will Be No Ballon d'Or Winner In 2020

It is the first time the award will not be given out since 1956.

Daniel Marland

Daniel Marland

The Ballon d'Or will not be awarded in 2020 due to the impact coronavirus has had on the football season.

France Football made the announcement on Monday afternoon claiming 'exceptional circumstances' prevent them from awarding it this year.

A statement read: "In exceptional circumstances, exceptional provisions. For the first time in its history, which began in 1956, the Ballon d'Or France Football will not be awarded in 2020, for lack of sufficient fair conditions."

The male and female award, won by Lionel Messi and Megan Rapinoe last year respectively, will have 'no successor' in December.

A list of reasons were then provided for the award being postponed this year, with one key factor being the suspension of some leagues.

  • Because such a singular year cannot - and should not - be treated as an ordinary year. When in doubt, it is better to abstain than to persist.
  • Because the Ballon d'Or trophy conveys values other - lie exemplarity, solidarity and responsibility - than sporting excellence alone.
  • Because the fairness that prevails for this honorary title could not be preserved, in particular at the statistical level and also in the preparation since all the aspirants to the award could not be housed in the same boat, some having seen their season cut radically , others not. So how do you compare the incomparable?
  • Because 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". We will always prefer a small sprain (to our history) to a large scar. This is the first time since 1956 that the Ballon d'Or has taken a break. The parenthesis does not enchant us but seems to us the most responsible and logical. Protecting the credibility and legitimacy of such an award also means ensuring its flawlessness over time.
Image
PA
  • Because only two months (January and February), out of the eleven generally required to form an opinion and decide between the best (s), it is far too little to gauge and judge, given that the other matches have taken place. then - or will take place - then in other conditions and formats (in camera, five replacements, European Final 8 in a single match) too far from the usual panorama. We cannot bring ourselves to rely on crippled seasons, with so many special arrangements, to elect the best. The best of what, by the way? It would not be worthy of our history.
  • Because of our approximately 220 jurors (men and women combined) distributed around the world, some may have been distracted or diverted from their observation mission due to other priorities and emergencies to manage.
  • Because the BO 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 momentum, passion and emotion. Strongly that the balloon gilds.

What do you think of the decision to not award the Ballon d'Or in 2020?

Let us know in the comments.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Football News, Football, Lionel Messi, Ballon d'Or, Cristiano Ronaldo

Daniel is a journalist for SPORTbible and he has previous experience with Manchester United. He has spoken to some of the biggest names in sport including Rio Ferdinand, Peter Crouch, WWE COO Triple H and WWE legend The Undertaker. May or may not do a decent impression of Jamie Carragher.

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@DanMarland_