PARIS (Reuters) - UEFA has partnered with Groupe Amaury to co-organize the prestigious Ballon d’Or awards from 2024, Europe’s soccer governing body said on Friday.
Groupe Amaury, the owner of media companies France Football and L’Equipe, will remain the owner of the Ballon d’Or brand and will continue to oversee the voting system so it remains independent.
UEFA said it will be organizing the annual gala and marketing its global commercial rights while adding two new awards for the best men’s and women’s coach of the year.
The partnership means UEFA’s awards for the best player and best coach will cease to exist. But UEFA will continue to present the President’s Award as well as prizes for the best player in each of their competitions.
“For almost 70 years, the Ballon d’Or has stood as the most prestigious individual accolade in the world of football and is a testament to the extraordinary skill, dedication, and impact of the game’s legends and their enduring mark on the sport’s history,” UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin said.
“UEFA club and national team competitions... are regarded as the highest global stages for elite players, often playing a critical role in a players’ candidacy for major honors and their place in the football pantheon.