Ballon d’Or blunder causes confusion as Harry Kane, Lamine Yamal and Kylian Mbappe articles are published
A premature announcement
Kane could become the first Englishman to receive the men’s award since 2001. The apparent early announcement drew attention before further checks were made on the website.
Other contenders featured
Stories had also been prepared and published about other men’s favourites, including Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal and Real Madrid’s Kylian Mbappe. Their presence showed that the Kane story was not a reliable indication of the outcome.
The website also carried similar pieces about Alexia Putellas of London City Lionesses and Barcelona’s Ewa Pajor. Both were among the leading contenders for the women’s award, which was also scheduled for Monday night.
Organisers clarify the stories
The organisers said the articles had been prepared for every nominee. They said the pieces should not be taken as showing the final results or rankings. The premature Kane story therefore did not confirm who would win. The men’s and women’s awards were still due to be decided at the London event.
Key points
- A Ballon d’Or website story appeared to name Harry Kane winner hours before the ceremony.
- Similar stories were published about Lamine Yamal, Kylian Mbappe and other contenders.
- Organisers said the articles were prepared for all nominees and did not indicate results or rankings.
- Alexia Putellas and Ewa Pajor also had stories published ahead of the women’s award.