PSG is suspected of attempting to influence the results of the Ballon d'Or voting

PSG is suspected of attempting to lobby for Lionel Messi to be awarded the Ballon d'Or, as reported by Le Monde.

According to sources, the Parisian club strengthened its ties with Pascal Ferre, who was the president of France Football at that time. The club wanted Lionel Messi to receive the Ballon d'Or while playing for PSG. Pascal Ferre received tickets to matches and a business-class flight from Qatar Airways in March 2021, valued at €8,986.

Through such actions, PSG aimed to lobby for Lionel Messi to win the Ballon d'Or. In a published police report, the then-communications director of the Parisian club, Jean-Martial Ribes, wrote that lobbying was necessary, and he would have lunch with Pascal Ferre.

Currently, investigators are examining whether Jean-Martial could influence Pascal Ferre's decision in voting for the Ballon d'Or. However, at that time, the trophy was won by Karim Benzema, and Lionel Messi did not win the prestigious individual award while playing for PSG.