Wednesday 14 January 2015 09:41, UK
FIFA has confirmed Northern Ireland’s votes for the Ballon d’Or were not registered in time to be counted.
Cristiano Ronaldo won the award for the second year in a row, and the third time in all, at a glittering ceremony in Zurich on Monday.
But Sky Sports News HQ reporter Paul Gilmour has revealed an administrative error meant the votes of Northern Ireland manager Michael O’Neill and captain Steven Davis were not counted in the final vote.
"The way voting works is that the national associations register their votes online,” said Gilmour.
"Northern Ireland did complete this part but crucially, the process is not formally recognised until the original paper documents, with signatures, are sent back to FIFA via post by the deadline.
“This deadline was missed by the Irish FA and as a result, Northern Ireland were the only European representatives without a manager or captain vote.
“I understand Northern Ireland manager Michael O'Neill opted for the eventual winner Cristiano Ronaldo as his top player, along with Lionel Messi and Phillip Lahm."
