Groupe Amaury investigates alleged Ballon d’Or voting leak after betting activity
Regulation1 min read
In brief
- Groupe Amaury said on 31 October it is investigating a possible leak of Ballon d’Or voting results.
- No leak has been established and the bettors' identities remain unknown.
Groupe Amaury, which owns France Football, said on Saturday, Oct. 31, that it was investigating whether confidential voting results had leaked before the Oct. 26 ceremony in London. In a statement to Le Parisien, Groupe Amaury said it treats claims that results leaked, and that bets may have been fraudulent, as a serious matter. Inquiries are under way, according to the group, to establish the facts and see whether anyone is responsible.
Harry Kane of Bayern Munich became the first Englishman in 25 years to take the men’s Ballon d’Or. Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Rodri and Lionel Messi rounded out the top five. The award is decided by a jury of international journalists, and the results stay confidential until the ceremony. Former France Football editor Pascal Ferré has said that very few people ought to learn the winner in advance.
According to The Guardian, French police have been notified too. Nobody has shown that a leak occurred, and who placed the bets is still unknown. Getting the predictions right does not in itself prove misconduct.
- Reportedly wagered by 12 Polymarket accounts on the top five
- $264,000