Pascal Ferré Reveals Ballon d’Or Bribery Attempt by Player Agent

Pascal Ferré, the former editor-in-chief of France Football who oversaw the Ballon d’Or for three decades, was once targeted in a bribery attempt by a player’s agent seeking to manipulate voting for the world’s most prestigious individual soccer award, CNN Brasil reported based on an interview with the Spanish newspaper Marca.

The Bribe Offer in a Madrid Meeting

The encounter occurred when an unnamed agent requested a meeting with Ferré while representing a nominated player. After reviewing the candidate’s achievements on the pitch, the representative asked if the vote could be commercially influenced. “Sim, é verdade. Um agente queria se encontrar comigo. Seu jogador estava, naturalmente, nomeado. Depois de me explicar seus méritos e elogiá-lo, ele me perguntou se eu poderia, entre aspas, vender sua candidatura ao júri”, Ferré recalled in the interview, translated from the original Portuguese reporting by CNN Brasil.

An Envelope Left Behind After a Phone Call

Ferré declined the offer immediately, stepping away from the table briefly to answer a telephone call. When he returned, the representative had already departed, leaving behind an unattended envelope on the table. Ferré picked up the package and handed it directly to building reception without opening it, leaving its contents unknown. Throughout the interview with Marca, Ferré withheld the identities of both the player and the agent, as well as the exact year the incident took place during his 30-year tenure leading the publication.

Ballon d’Or Winners of the 21st Century

The Ballon d’Or has recognized the globe’s top male footballer, managed by France Football. Recent recipients include Rodri of Manchester City in 2024 and Lionel Messi in 2023.