Pressure on Moroccan Journalist During Ballon d'Or Voting
In a striking revelation, Mostafa Badri, who serves as the managing director of the Al Mountakhab group, disclosed that he encountered significant pressure prior to casting his vote for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award. Badri, who placed Achraf Hakimi, the renowned full-back for Paris Saint-Germain and the Moroccan national team, at the top of his ballot, claimed that individuals attempted to sway his decision in favor of another player, whose identity remains undisclosed. The journalist emphasized that he stood firm against these attempts, which he described as an "influence campaign" aimed at altering the outcome of his vote.
In an exclusive interview with Africafoot, Badri clarified that the pressure he experienced was specifically related to the voting for the 2025 Ballon d'Or, contradicting earlier reports suggesting it pertained to the 2026 award. When pressed for details about the source of this pressure, he simply referred to it as "a club," leading many to speculate that it could be linked to the ongoing dynamics within PSG, where a rivalry between their players, notably Ousmane Dembélé and Achraf Hakimi, has been a topic of discussion. The intricate politics of the club undoubtedly played a role in the controversy surrounding the voting process.
Badri further asserted that his Moroccan heritage influenced his decision, reinforcing his commitment to supporting Hakimi based on the player’s impressive performances, statistics, and dedication to the Moroccan national team. His refusal to yield to external pressures underscores a strong sense of integrity and loyalty to Moroccan football, demonstrating the pride that comes with representing one’s country on such a global stage.
As reported by en.yabiladi.com.
