The game of soccer has seen a rise in popularity, with women’s teams now competing at the highest level. However that could be changing as many believe the Ballon d’Or prize to recognize best male player is sexist and misogynistic. The World Cup may prove to be an issue for not only FIFA but other organizations who feel using this award will bring too much attention on their gaps in gender equality.
The “2020 ballon d’or” is a prize given out by France Football to the best player in Europe. The winner of the 2020 ballon d’or will be announced at the end of 2019. However, there has been a lack of respect shown towards women’s game and players.
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The Ballon d’Or ceremony may be one of the most glamorous events on the football calendar, but it’s hardly the best pre-match preparation for the World Cup qualifiers in 2023. The organisers have once again shown their disrespect for women’s football by organizing the ceremony during one of the most significant periods in the sport’s history. Despite the fact that this is meant to be the game’s ultimate reward, many of those who are nominated are not granted the chance to go. What does this tell about the value placed on the award?
Then there came the actual prize presentation. Kylian Mbappe of PSG was picked to present the trophy to the victor, and it might have been a smart decision by the organizers to use one of the world’s top sports celebrities to bring attention to the women’s game. They might have questioned him about his club-mates, who won the women’s league for the first time last season, or about the women’s European Championship, which France will compete in next summer. Instead, the week leading up to the women’s award was devoted questioning Mbappe about his own men’s prize candidacy and his potential participation in the Paris 2024 Olympics. The best women’s players in the world were once again in the shadows at a time when all attention should have been on them.
You’d think that by creating the Ballon d’Or Feminin 62 years after the men’s award, the organizers would have a lot of experience with scheduling. When this prize has only been given three times, there are few justifications for sticking to old habits or traditions.
It’s also bad for the ceremony as a whole. Hegerberg and Kerr are household names with millions of followers across the world. A new, younger generation would be watching to see who won the prize and who their favorite players were. It’s a blown chance on all fronts.
The significance of this award being established in 2018 cannot be overstated, and although it has highlighted some of the best players in the women’s game, it has also highlighted some of the remaining impediments.
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