FIFA responded to complaints about the wrong votes in The Best awards: “They are unfair and misleading accusations”

[Inkriql]

FIFA issued a statement on Friday through which it responded to the accusations made against it for the alleged wrong votes in the election of the winners of The Best award.

"FIFA is disappointed by the amount of media reports that question the integrity of the FIFA voting process," says the letter released by the entity, which called these accusations "unfair and misleading."

Days ago, Nicaraguan footballer Juan Barrera, who was on the voter list as one of those who had chosen Lionel Messi (who was finally the winner), warned through his social networks that he had not participated in the process. Then, the Federation of that Central American country admitted its own administrative error: in reality, the one who had cast the vote had been the flyer Manuel Rosas. While the coach of Sudan, Zdravko Lugarisic, also raised his claim: he said he voted in the first place for the Egyptian Mohamed Salah, but that in the form Messi appeared as his main election.

FIFA explained that the voting process is “supervised and monitored by an independent observer”. In this case, it is the company PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), based in Switzerland.

Each federation must send their votes electronically and in writing. These last documents must be signed by the heads of each Association, as well as by the people authorized to vote. In order for the vote to be considered valid, all signatures and the seal of the member of the Association must be present.

“Both FIFA and the independent observer can demonstrate that all votes have been cast according to the rules and within the corresponding deadlines. Consequently, there is no doubt about the authenticity of the result, ”the statement said.

In any case, the agency warned that if there is any misunderstanding - even if it has not affected the final result - it will be investigated and, if necessary, sanctions will be applied.

The Best awards were presented last September 23 in the city of Milan and Argentine Lionel Messi won the prize for the best male player for the first time in his career.