体坛英语新闻：FIFA World Player Of the Year award to merge with Ballon D'Or

In practical terms, the new FIFA Ballon d'Or award will represent a fusion in terms of voting procedure as well. Votes will now come from the coaches and captains of international teams - as was previously the case for the FIFA Player of the Year - and also from journalists, who used to nominate France Football's Ballon d'Or winner.

"This electoral college of players, coaches and journalists will make for more balance and better representation," explained Francois Moriniere, managing director of L'Equipe and France Football.

"It will also be a worldwide college of journalists, rather than a uniquely European one. All these things will lend the award more credibility."

The 2010 FIFA Ballon d'Or award ceremony will be a televized event held in Zurich, Switzerland on January 10, 2011.

"Football has become universal, so it is a good thing to present just one prize to the world's best player," said Blatter. "With this agreement, football is the real winner."