FIFA threatens sanctions over voting process in annual awards ceremony

Fédération Internationale de Football Association(FIFA) threatened some of national federations over possible sanctions on voting process in yearly FIFA awards ceremony after questions were raised by media over poll's honesty. governing body of Football has called reports against polling unfair and misleading. This year's award ceremony, which took place on September 23, gave several awards to one of best footballers and coaches in world. 

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FIFA's official statement

re were questions raised after annual ceremony at Teatro alla Scala in Milon over reliability of polls that were conducted to choose players. FIFA released a statement that called se reports incorrect and giving wrong impression. "se reports are unfair and misleading. voting procedure for each of awards is supervised and monitored by an independent observer, in this case, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Switzerland. FIFA requested all member associations to submit ir voting forms both electronically and in writing. written documents must also be signed by responsible persons of association as well as by persons authorised to vote. refore, in order for a vote to be valid, it must include respective signatures and member association's stamp," FIFA said in an official statement. It furr added, "Consequently, re is doubt whatsoever as to aunticity of result. Should re have been any case of wrong-doing, and even if this did t affect result of vote, FIFA will investigate and apply sanctions where necessary.

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Fans all over world voted

winners were decided by a jury of international football coaches consisting of coaches and captains of all men's teams, a specialised journalist from each region and online voting by fans across world. re were ories made by foreign media over votes cast by Egyptian coach Shawky Gharib and captain Ahmed Elmohamady for best men's player. It said that votes by m were t counted since y were signed in caps which come under FIFA's breach of voting rules. Argentina football sensation Lionel Messi won Best FIFA Men's Player of year for 6th time. America's Megan Rapie won Best FIFA Women's Player at award ceremony.

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(With inputs from ANI)