Ballon d'Or judge who admits he FORGOT to vote for Real Madrid star Vinicius Jr reveals he has resigned from voting panel

A judge who admits that he forgot to vote for Vinicius Jr for the Ballon d'Or has resigned.

Journalist Juha Kanerva, who works for Finnish publication Ilta-Sanomat, admitted that he made a mistake when votes were submitted.

Kanerva failed to include Vinicius in his top ten despite the winger enjoying a stellar year in which he helped Real to win the Champions League.

Manchester City star Rodri won the Ballon d'Or last month as he beat Vinicus by just 41 points.

A Real Madrid fan pointed out that Kanerva was one of only three journalists not to include Vinicius in his top ten.

A judge who admits that he forgot to vote for Vinicius Jr for the Ballon d'Or has resigned

Manchester City midfielder Rodri won the Ballon d'Or as he beat Vinicius by just 41 points

Juha Kavera, who works for Finnish publication Ilta-Sanomat, admitted that he made a mistake

Kanerva announced on X that he will resign from the Ballon d'Or jury.

He wrote: 'This was my technical fault, for which I take responsibility. I am leaving my place as Ballon d'Or selector.'

According to France Football, the other two journalists that didn't include Vinicius in their top ten were Bruno Porzio of El Salvador and Sheefeni Nikodemus from Namibia.

Journalists from 99 different countries submitted votes, with Syria abstaining from doing so.

As reported by Marca, Kanerva chose Rodri as his Ballon d'Or winner followed by Erling Haaland and Jude Bellingham.

William Saliba, Ademola Lookman and Dani Carvajal were amongst the players that were included in his top ten.

Vinicius was absent from the ceremony in Paris after being informed that he wouldn't win, with his Real Madrid team-mates also snubbing the event.

Vinicius, who didn't attend the ceremony, finished in second place behind Rodri

My technical error. I will resign from the Ballon d'Or jury. — Juha Kanerva (@KanervaJP) November 9, 2024

LaLiga president Javier Tebas accused Real of being 'childish' for not attending the ceremony.

Tebas told Marca: 'I think that Real Madrid lacked the chivalry that has always been one of its hallmarks and is part of its anthem as well, shaking hands when it loses.

'A lack of chivalry that has been lacking for some time. It didn't surprise me. It was a childish attitude, a hotheadedness, call it what you want.

'It was already seen in the attitude of Real Madrid TV with the videos. We see a supremacist behaviour that everything has to revolve around them.'

Click here to read article