Pranksters force FIFA to clarify issue

FIFA were on Thursday forced to issue a statement making it clear Zinedine Zidane had not been awarded the World Player of the Year award following a recount.

Leading Spanish sports daily Marca published a story on their website claiming former France and Real Madrid midfielder Zidane had been given the award instead of the actual winner, Italy defender Fabio Cannavaro, due to an administrative error.

However, December 28 is known as 'Dia de Inocentes' in Spain - the equivalent of April Fools' Day in the United Kingdom - and the story was a prank and that Cannavaro was indeed the legitimate winner.

FIFA revealed they had been inundated with calls from confused journalists, forcing the world game's governing body to clarify the situation.