Friday, 22nd November, 2013
Franck Ribery's chances of winning the 2013 Ballon d'Or will not be affected by FIFA extending the voting deadline, his agent Jean-Pierre Bernes has claimed.
Bayern Munich playmaker and treble winner Ribery is one of the leading contenders for the individual award alongside Real Madrid's Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's Lionel Messi.
With not enough votes cast by 15th November, FIFA extended the voting deadline earlier this week to 29th November, but that prompted suggestions of attempting to unfairly help Ronaldo.
Both Ronaldo and Ribery were involved in World Cup playoff second-leg action on 19th November – after the initial deadline – and it was Ronaldo who won richer praise with his hat-trick for Portugal against Sweden.
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However, when asked if the extension would have any impact on Ribery's hopes, Bernes told L'Equipe: "Not at all.
"You cannot imagine the joy that came for Franck, on Tuesday, with the opportunity to play his third World Cup.
"About the Ballon d'Or, why worry about it after the year he has just had? The jury is composed of experts who will base their decision on the whole year, not solely on the last two weeks.
"Whatever the juror may have determined on 15th November, the vote will remain the same on the 29th. We are very calm."
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