It signals to us that FIFA doesn’t care – Megan Rapinoe blasts Player of the Year shortlist
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Published 23/10/2017 at 10:53 GMT
World Cup winner Megan Rapinoe has criticised the shortlist for the female Player of the Year saying that it shows that FIFA doesn’t care about the women’s game.
Megan Rapinoe #15 of the United States plays against New Zealand at Dick's Sporting Goods Park on September 15, 2017 in Commerce City, Colorado.
Image credit: Getty Images
The final three nominees are Rapinoe’s US team-mate Carli Lloyd, Dutch forward Lieke Martens and rising Venezuelan star Denya Castellanos.
It is the selection of the latter, an 18-year-old who doesn’t play profession football, that has irked Rapinoe.
Speaking to the BBC Rapinoe, who plays for Seattle Reign, said "The award just doesn't hold a lot of weight when you've got someone on the list I've never heard of,
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Megan Rapinoe #15 of the USA celebrates after scoring a goal against the Korea Republic at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome on October 19, 2017 in New Orleans, Louisiana.
Image credit: Getty Images
"It signals to us and it signals to the rest of the world that Fifa doesn't really care,
"If some random male player, who was not even a full professional, was nominated, I'm sure they would step in for that, so it's disappointing that the same hasn't been done for us."
One of the big omissions was Australian forward Sam Kerr, who has become the all-time top scorer in the NWSL in America.
At a Fox Sports W-League launch event she said she wasn’t surprised.
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Australia's Sam Kerr runs with the ball during their women's friendly football match against Brazil at Newcastle on September 19, 2017.
Image credit: Getty Images
"Not surprised really, it's FIFA," Kerr said.
"To be honest, I turned the Twitter off for a few days. I wasn't getting my hopes up. Moya Dodd had kind of been snubbed.
“Like I said, I don't play for personal awards, it was obviously a great honour to be nominated and there are other great female athletes in football doing great things around the world. Hopefully one day it will be my time but I just have to be patient and keep doing me."
The winners will be announced on Monday evening.
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