FIFA’s gala awards showpiece in Zurich on Monday evening will be devoid of Barcelona players, despite a number of them being named in the World Team of the Year.
Andres Iniesta, Gerard Pique, Luis Suarez, and Lionel Messi were all due to represent the Catalans with the Argentine set to finish second in the governing body’s ‘The Best’ category.
Citing Wednesday’s crucial Copa del Rey second leg with Athletic Club, the Azulgrana have released a statement putting forward their board members, including president Josep Maria Bartomeu and technical director Robert Fernandez, to attend the ceremony instead.
However, the decision was only taken this morning after a meeting in the Barcelona training ground dressing room, annoying FIFA in the process.
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