Ballon d’Or 2020 cancelled due to coronavirus pandemic

Askar Yakubov · 18:52, 21.07.2020 · Updated 15:23 · 531 views

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.uz) -- France Football have announced that there will be no 2020 Ballon d’Or. Instead of the individual prize there will be a best XI of the 2019-20 season.

France Footballhas announced that due to the coronavirus pandemic there will be no winner of the 2020 Ballon d’Or.

The decision was taken by France Football editor Pascal Ferré. “In such a unique year we can’t treat it as an ordinary one,” Ferré said. “The season started with certain rules and ended with other rules. In January and February, soccer was played in front of full stands. Then from May and June it was with empty stands. Two months [January and February] are not enough to analyse, evaluate and make a judgment. The introduction of five substitutes and the Champions League finals format also play a part [in the decision]. The Ballon d’Or would have been decided over three games: quarterfinal, semifinal and final.”

Askar Yakubov

Askar Yakubov is a professional photojournalist with extensive experience in news and reportage photography. He specializes in fast-paced coverage of social, political, cultural, international, business, and community events, with a sharp eye for capturing expressive shots and conveying the atmosphere of an event under tight time constraints. His skill set spans reportage, portrait, and documentary photography, along with image editing and color correction, and preparing photo materials for media and digital platforms. He is known for his professionalism, adherence to editorial standards, and ability to work both independently and as part of a shooting team.