The Best Awards: FIFA Set To Investigate Controversy Surrounding Votes Declared

Fédération Internationale de Football Association, FIFA, has promised that it will investigate the controversy surrounding the outcome of the 2019 Best Football Awards, even if this did not affect the result of the vote.

The world football governing body in a press statement said it would investigate and apply sanctions where necessary.

FIFA stated that it was disappointed with reports making rounds, questioning the integrity of the voting process for awards.

“These reports are unfair and misleading. The voting procedure for each of the awards is supervised and monitored by an independent observer, in this case, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Switzerland,” the statement read in part.

FIFA further explained that the rules requested all member associations, to submit their voting forms both electronically and in writing.

“The written documents must also be signed by the responsible persons of the association as well as by the persons authorised to vote. Therefore in order for a vote to be valid, it must include the respective signatures and the member association’s stamp.”

“Both FIFA and the independent observer can demonstrate that all the votes submitted in accordance with the rules and within the deadlines were taken into account.”

“Consequently, there is no doubt whatsoever as to the authenticity of the result,” the statement added.

Recall that Barcelona captain, Lionel Messi was named as the men’s winner, ahead of Liverpool defender Virgil van Dijk and Juventus’ Cristiano Ronaldo.

There has been a vote rigging scandal, as football associations and captains have claimed they did not vote for Messi.