Scandal shakes the Ballon d'Or: investigations and legal complaint over leaks and suspicious betting

Amori Group, owner of L'Équipe and France Football, responsible for organizing the Ballon d'Or, is preparing to file a lawsuit over allegations of voting result leaks and suspected illegal betting. This comes after Englishman Harry Kane was awarded the prize last Tuesday.

The group confirmed in a statement sent to Agence France-Presse that the integrity of the Ballon d'Or is an absolute priority, noting that complaint procedures are underway and that it is taking the allegations regarding result leaks and potential fraudulent betting very seriously.

The issue began after reports published by the financial site Upside, which spoke about suspicious betting being carried out through the Polymarket platform, banned in France, before the event held in the British capital London.

According to the site, a total of around $265,000 was wagered across 12 accounts that are likely to be owned by the same person, with the correct order of the top five finishers in the award being predicted: Harry Kane, Kylian Mbappé, Lamine Yamal, Rodri, and Lionel Messi. This prompted the Amouri group to open investigations to verify the facts and determine potential responsibilities.