FIFA Female Player of the Century was a one-off award created by the global governing body FIFA to decide the greatest football female player of the 20th century, announced at the annual FIFA World gala, held in Rome on 11 December 2000. American player Michelle Akers and Chinese player Sun Wen were joint winners of the award.[1] Michelle Akers won the award based on votes from FIFA officials, journalists and coaches, while Sun Wen won the award based on the Internet poll. [2][3][4][5]
Background
Since 1991, FIFA has been awarding honors for FIFA World Player of the Year. The organization decided to ring in the new millennium by conducting a public vote to decide the FIFA Player of the Century (for male players), FIFA Goalkeeper of the Century, and FIFA Female Player of the Century.
Voting
Akers was named FIFA Player of the Century in joint voting by readers of FIFA Magazine (weighted at 50%) and the members of the FIFA Football Committee (also weighted at 50%). China's Sun Wen shared the title of FIFA Player of the Century based on the votes cast by the fans through the FIFA website.[6]
In addition to Akers' award, American forward Mia Hamm, finished in the top three in voting for both awards. Hamm finished behind Sun Wen (footballer) in the Internet Award balloting, and third behind both Akers and Sun in the Player of the Century voting.[7][8]
See also
References
- ^ FIFA.com (1 December 2000). "Sun Wen and Michelle Akers on top". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ FIFA.com. "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ - Classic Players - FIFA.com". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 12 May 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ FIFA.com (25 November 2010). "Who is the greatest women's footballer of all time?". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 2 July 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ Lewis, Michael (3 August 2016). "The 20 greatest female football players of all time". the Guardian. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ FIFA.com. "FIFA Women's World Cup France 2019™ - Classic Players - FIFA.com". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 8 July 2018. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ FIFA.com (1 December 2000). "Sun Wen and Michelle Akers on top". FIFA.com. Archived from the original on 29 October 2015. Retrieved 7 July 2018.
- ^ "Michelle Akers Named FIFA Player of the Century". US Soccer. Retrieved 7 August 2016.
- ^ "IFFHS' Century Elections". The Rec.Sport.Soccer Statistics Foundation. Retrieved 4 February 2013.