Sports
Ballon d’Or 2024: France Football Introduces Major New Rule Ahead Of Ceremony
France Football, organizers of the prestigious Ballon d’Or, have announced a significant change for this year’s award process.
As the countdown to the highly anticipated ceremony on October 28, 2024, continues, a new rule has been revealed that could impact how the winner learns about their victory.
Traditionally, the Ballon d’Or winner is informed beforehand and interviewed by France Football prior to the award announcement.
However, this year, that will not be the case.
According to Mario Cortegana, a respected correspondent for The Athletic, the winners will only find out they have won when the envelope is opened live during the ceremony.
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This change adds a new layer of suspense to the event, heightening the drama for both players and fans alike.
Real Madrid’s star forward, Vinicius Junior, is widely tipped as the favorite to take home the prestigious trophy, following an outstanding season in which he played a crucial role in Real Madrid’s La Liga and Champions League triumphs.
He faces tough competition from other football stars, including Kylian Mbappe, Jude Bellingham, and Rodri.
With less than two weeks to go, speculation continues to grow about who will lift the golden trophy.
The new rule ensures that, for the first time in Ballon d’Or history, the winner’s reaction will be genuine and unfiltered, as the world watches in real time.
Stay tuned for what promises to be one of the most exciting Ballon d’Or ceremonies yet, as France Football takes a bold step to enhance the excitement surrounding the sport’s most coveted individual award.
This new twist adds an extra element of surprise, making the 2024 Ballon d’Or ceremony even more thrilling for football fans worldwide.
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has taken a defiant stance ahead of the crucial 2025 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier against Nigeria, stating that there will be “no room for excuses” as their players prepare for the clash.
The statement comes amid controversy surrounding Nigeria’s decision to pull out of the match following an extended delay at Al Abaq Airport.
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In a post on its official X account on Tuesday, the LFF shared images of the Libyan national team’s training session at the Martyrs of Benina International Stadium in Benghazi.
The federation emphasized its commitment to playing the match as scheduled, with a caption that read, “Some may be used to putting up obstacles before the match, but here in the heart of Benghazi, specifically on the grounds of the Martyrs of Benina Stadium, there is no room for excuses after the starting whistle.”
The fixture has been thrown into uncertainty after Nigeria’s Super Eagles and officials were stranded at the airport for over 16 hours following an unexpected flight diversion on Sunday.
This disruption led the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to announce their withdrawal from the Group D qualifier, originally slated for today.
The LFF has condemned Nigeria’s withdrawal and accused the NFF of failing to cooperate in organizing both the initial and return legs of the qualifying tie.
The Libyan federation further criticized Nigeria’s decision, contrasting it with their own experience during the first leg, where the Libyan team faced what they described as “inhumane conditions” in Nigeria but still fulfilled the fixture.
The LFF’s message comes as both federations remain at odds over the situation, raising the possibility of legal action, with Libya vowing to take all necessary steps to protect its national team’s interests in the AFCON qualifiers.
The Libyan Football Federation (LFF) has voiced its disapproval regarding the Super Eagles of Nigeria’s decision to withdraw from an upcoming Africa Cup of Nations qualifier, stating plans to take legal action against the Nigerian team.
The controversy arose when the Super Eagles arrived at Abraq International Airport, where they encountered significant travel disruptions less than 48 hours before their scheduled match against Libya’s Mediterranean Knights.
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Recall that the Nigerian contingent, which departed from Uyo on Sunday morning, was left stranded at the airport, raising serious safety concerns.
In light of these issues, the Nigerian players chose not to participate in the match, resulting in strong criticism from the LFF.
See statement below:
The Super Eagles, Nigeria’s national football team, have safely returned to Malam Aminu Kano International Airport following a difficult ordeal in Libya.
Biztellers reports that the team was left stranded at Abraq International Airport, less than 48 hours before their crucial Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against the Mediterranean Knights, scheduled for Tuesday.
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The Nigerian contingent had departed from Uyo on Sunday morning, anticipating a smooth journey to Libya for the upcoming match.
However, upon arrival at Abraq International Airport, the team faced unexpected complications that left them stranded and unable to proceed as planned.
More to follow…………
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