The Ballond’Or award ceremony would be suspended this year following the effect of the pandemic on football, as the beautiful game was off the menu for three months.

The decision to suspend the award ceremony was taken by the L’Equipe Group, to which France Football magazine belongs and has organised the Ballon d’Or ceremony for the last 64 years.

Pascal Ferre, the editor-in-chief, noted that this is as a consequence of the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The 2019 winner of the award was Lionel Messi.

“We believe that such a unique year cannot, and should not, be treated as an ordinary year,” L’Equipe’s statement read.

“In sporting terms, only two months [January and February] of the eleven generally required to form an opinion and decide between the best is too little to evaluate and judge”.

“We don’t love this choice, but it will help to protect the credibility and legitimacy of such an award.”

The last winner of the award remains Barcelona captain Lionel Messi who claims the award in 2019.

source:- fcnaija