PELE UPSET BY MARADONA WALKOUT

12 Dec 2000, 11:1 (EDT)

The rivalry between Diego Maradona and Pele raised its head again when
the Argentina star left the FIFA award ceremony before the Brazilian
received his "Player of the Century" award in Rome.

FIFA officials had defused the embarrassing situation over who should be
named Player of the Century by giving both three-time World Cup winner
Pele and Maradona awards.

The governing body originally planned to name only one "Player of the
Century" with the winner being decided from a combination of votes from
Fifa's website, the body's magazine and a grand
jury.

But amid reports that a cyber-blitz by Maradona fans had the
self-confessed cocaine addict leading with 78,000 votes ahead of Pele on
26,000, the awards were split up into an Internet Player of the Century
and a Fifa jury Player of the Century. And after originally threatening
not to attend the ceremony Maradona left the gala dinner after receiving
the internet award and before Pele received his accolade.

"I want to go home," said the 40-year-old, who left accompanied by his
wife Claudia and his agent.
 Pele said: "I would have liked Maradona to be there to join me on the
platform, but he had already left."

Maradona had earlier thanked Fifa for respecting the votes of the
people, adding that he dedicated his trophy to: "The Argentinian people,
Fidel Castro, my wife Claudia and all the players in the world that I
love and respect.

"The people voted for me. I feel good in my head, serene. I'm happy and
proud."

French star Zinedine Zidane picked up the 2000 Fifa World Player of the
Year award, ahead of the world's most expensive player Luis Figo.

Manchester United's David Beckham was sixth in the voting.

"This is a special award for me and an honour to be chosen ahead of two
players like Figo and Rivaldo," Zidane said.

Real Madrid were named the team of the century, comfortably beating
Manchester United into second place with Bayern Munich in third.

Leeds United defender Lucas Radebe won the Fifa fair play award.

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