FIFA issues statement on corruption claims after Lionel Messi wins FIFA Best Award. The statement comes on the heels of allegations of the awards being rigged.
Lionel Messi’s summer of controversies doesn’t look to slow down anytime soon. He had a forgettable individual showing with the national team in the Copa America.
Also read: Lionel Messi Best FIFA player award tainted with claims of corruption
He was then involved in a myriad of rows at the tournament; one of which involved the Argentine wrongly being awarded a red card and eventually accusing CONMEBOL of corruption.
Messi is now in the eye of another storm. Except this time, he has been accused to be the benefactor of deceit by a governing football body.
After Nicaragua captain Juan Barrera came forward and claimed that he did not vote for Lionel Messi in the FIFA Best Awards, fans began doubting the authenticity of the awards. Barrera is shown to have voted for Lionel Messi in the FIFA forum. However, he says he didn’t vote at all.
No Vote por los premios #TheBest2019 cualquier información sobre mi voto es falso , gracias.
— Juan Barrera (@juanbarreranica) September 24, 2019
Nicaragua National Team's captain Juan Barrera says he did not vote for Lionel Messi but apparently his name was on the list of the captains who voted and he doesn't know how it got there.
FIFA rigged the votes to make Messi win. Atleast Cristiano wins it fairly. https://t.co/I76P9SsDKY
— Mu. (@FutbolMuu) September 25, 2019
In an interview with La Prensa, he further says that last year he received an email with instructions on how to cast his vote. This time around though, he received nothing.
FIFA issues statement on corruption claims after Lionel Messi wins FIFA Best Award
The world governing body has decided to respond to the foul play allegations through a statement to ESPN.
“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.”
“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.”
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