Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Messi The Best vote fix claims: FIFA issue denial

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Thursday, 26 September 2019 05:51

FIFA have denied allegations of foul play with regards to the voting as Lionel Messi was named Best Men's Player at the FIFA The Best awards in Milan on Monday.

Nicaragua captain Juan Barrera has said he did not vote for the Barcelona forward, who beat Virgil van Dijk and Cristiano Ronaldo to win the award, with votes cast by national team manager and captains as well as various media representatives.

- ESPN La Liga fantasy: Sign up now!
- When does the transfer window reopen?

"We have checked the voting documents submitted by the Nicaraguan FA and all documents are signed and confirmed with the official stamp of the Nicaraguan FA," A FIFA spokesperson told ESPN FC.

"Having compared with the vote sheets submitted by the federation and the ones we have published on FIFA.com, we confirm that we have the right votes signed by the player. We are asking the Nicaraguan Football Federations to inquire on this matter."

Barrera, who is recorded as having voted for Messi as his first choice with Sadio Mane as his No. 2 and Ronaldo in third place, said in a social media post he had not taken part.

"I did not vote in The Best 2019 awards," he wrote on Twitter. "Any information about me is false."

Barrera was asked why he voted for Messi by journalists in his homeland, where he again denied casting a vote.

"I did not vote for Messi," he told La Prensa. "Last year, I did vote, but this year I did not."

The report also added that Barrera said while last year he received an email with instructions on how to cast his vote, this time around he received nothing.

Meanwhile, FIFA said votes from Egypt for Liverpool forward Mohamed Salah did not count because signatures on the ballot "were in capital letters and thus seemed not valid (not authentic)," and "voting forms were also not signed by the (federation) general secretary which is mandatory."

The Egypt Football Federation had questioned why ballot papers on behalf of their national team coach and captain were not included in a FIFA document published after Monday's ceremony.

FIFA said their voting office is monitored by independent auditors. They noted Egypt were first contacted for confirmation of the ballots then "received two reminders to submit the properly signed voting forms on Aug. 19."

The Egyptian federation was in turmoil in July and August after their leadership resigned due to the national team's round of 16 exit to South Africa at the African Cup of Nations they hosted.

Later in August, FIFA sent an emergency management team to run the Egypt federation.

Information from Associated Press was used in this report

Read 423 times

Soccer

Hojlund, Garnacho lead United rout of Leicester

Hojlund, Garnacho lead United rout of Leicester

Manchester United's Rasmus Højlund and Alejandro Garnacho ended goal droughts and Bruno Fernandes sc...

Howe amazed as Newcastle 'legends' end drought

Howe amazed as Newcastle 'legends' end drought

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNewcastle United manager Eddie Howe challenged his players to win m...

Slot: 'Hunger' not the issue in Liverpool cup loss

Slot: 'Hunger' not the issue in Liverpool cup loss

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLiverpool head coach Arne Slot dismissed the idea Newcastle United'...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Magic end Cavaliers' winning streak at 16 games

Magic end Cavaliers' winning streak at 16 games

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCLEVELAND -- Paolo Banchero scored 24 points, Franz Wagner added 22...

Kerr passes Attles as Warriors' winningest coach

Kerr passes Attles as Warriors' winningest coach

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsSAN FRANCISCO -- One game after Stephen Curry reached 4,000 3-point...

Baseball

Valdez gets 4th straight Astros Opening Day start

Valdez gets 4th straight Astros Opening Day start

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsLeft-hander Framber Valdez was named the Houston Astros' Opening Da...

Twins' Lewis leaves game with hamstring injury

Twins' Lewis leaves game with hamstring injury

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFORT MYERS, Fla. -- Minnesota Twins third baseman Royce Lewis left...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated