By Alté Jay, YeyeNews.com, October 12, 2021
Germany and Chelsea forward, Timo Werner, has been furious after his name failed to make this year’s Ballon d’Or Shortlist. The 30-man Shortlist which was released a few days ago included Ruben Dias, Phil Foden, Erling Haaland, and fellow teammate Mason Mount. Timo Werner has however expressed his anger at the list and condemned the French organizers for their partiality.
YeyeNews.com reporter spoke with the 25-year-old German attacker after a training session and voiced his anger at the rejection. “I have been very instrumental towards Chelsea’s success this year. Without my efforts we wouldn’t have won the Champions League. Yea, I didn’t score so many goals for Chelsea but my assists is what has brought us this far. I even have more assists than Mason Mount. I’m shocked that his name made it and mine didn’t.
The Chelsea attacker further went on to say that France Football Magazine, the owners of the Ballon d’Or award, would be hearing from his lawyers soon. “I have to sue,” he said. What they did is a blow to my reputation as a great football currently in form. I’ll be suing them for conspiracy and defamation of character. It is high time we stopped this systemic discrimination.
Timo Werner’s words have however sparked a global revolution in the world of football as some players from other countries who didn’t make the list have also come out to express their anger and say that they may be following Timo Werner’s footsteps to sue FIFA. Some of these players include Kepa Arizabalaga, the Spanish goalkeeper, Oliver Giroud, Zlatan Ibrahimovic, Eden Dzeko and even the Nigerian winger, Ahmed Musa.
France Football magazine has however released a statement saying that they would not go back on their decision despite controversies now surrounding it. “The Ballon d’Or has been in existence for decades and we are known for our fairness and transparency. We respect every footballer and are not partial in giving this award,” they said.
