UEFA Best Player in Europe Award launched

Based on an initiative of the UEFA President, Michel Platini, aimed at reviving the spirit of the old European Footballer of the Year award, UEFA, in partnership with European Sports Media (ESM), has launched the UEFA Best Player in Europe Award.

The presentation ceremony for the UEFA Best Player in Europe 2010/11 will take place in Monaco on Thursday 25 August during the UEFA Champions League group stage draw.

The new accolade will recognise the best player, irrespective of his nationality, playing for a football club within the territory of a UEFA member association during the previous season. For the inaugural award, players will be judged by their performances during the 2010/11 campaign in all competitions, both domestic and international, and at club and national team levels.

The jury will comprise 53 renowned sports journalists representing each of the UEFA national associations. Firstly each journalist will provide a list of their three best-ranked players from one to three, with the first player receiving five points, the second three points and the third one point. The three players with the most points overall from the first round of voting will be shortlisted for the final round of voting.

This deciding vote will take place in Monaco during the UEFA Champions League group stage draw – when the journalists will vote live, via an electronic system, for their best player from the shortlist of three, to determine the winner.

The names of the three nominees (in alphabetical order), together with the full first-round voting results, will be announced on 25 July on UEFA.com.