The sudden decision taken by Barcelona to withdraw their players from attending the FIFA awards ceremony on Monday has angered the organisation.
With France Football and FIFA cutting their ties in 2016, this was the inaugural showpiece of ‘The Best’ and as such, the world footballing governing body had counted on the game’s biggest names to show up in Zurich.
However, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, Andres Iniesta, and Gerard Pique will not attend the event, the players being replaced by Barcelona board members such as club president Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Unhappy with the Argentine, who contested the top prize with Cristiano Ronaldo but will come out second best, FIFA are disappointed with the club as a whole given the unlikelihood of such a scenario unfolding had Messi won.
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