ROME. Dec 11

French midfield

* wizard Zinedine

Zidane was W * named FIFA world

W i ft >ot ba Iler -ol-1 he- -

year here Monday as .i rou over who should be plover-iil-the-century' ended with Brazilian Pele and Argentina's Diego Maradona both receiving awards, reports AFP.

Zidane scooped his second world footballer-of-thc-year crown in three years ahead of the most expensive footballer on the planet. Portugal's Luis Figo, and last year's winner Rlvaldo.

The prize gave Zidane .something to smile about after an unhappy past couple of months, which saw him banned for live matches by UEFA for headbutting an opponent dur-

ing a Champions League match.

However, the glittering displays of the Juventus midfielder during France's victorious Euro 2000 campaign were enough to land him the crown

Elsewhere red-faced FIFA officials got (fieinselvcs off the hook in the plaver-of-the-ccniurv row by handing awards to both the legendary Pelc and Argentina's enfant terrible Diego Maradona.

FIFA President Sepp Blatter had on Sunday moved to head off the potentially embarrassing scenario of three-time World Cup winner Pele being left empty-handed by announcing the decision to split up the awards.

The decision was taken 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

FIFA originally planned to name only one 'plaver-of-thc-centnry’ at Monda/s dinner, with the winner being decided from a combination of votes from FIFA's website, the body's magazine and a grand Jury.

But with Maradona reportedly way ahead the awards were split up into an 'Internet Player of the Century' and a FIFA Jury Player of the Century', paving the way for both men to gel an award.

In the women's category, the United States' Michelle Akers was crowned player-of-t hc-century. scuppering Chinese hojies that their star striker Sun Wen would be given the accolade. ROME. Dec I I (AFP) Winners of FIFA awards to be presented at gala ceremony here Monday:

World footballer of the year: Zinedne Zidane (ra)

Footballer of the century (FIFA grand jury): Pcle

Footballer of the century (FIFA Internet): Diego Maradona

Woman footballer of the century: Michelle Akers (USA)

Team of the century: Real Madrid (Spa) Team of the year: Holland

Fair play award: Lucas Radebe (Leeds United and Republic of South Africa>

In other awards. Spanish giants Real Madrid were named team-of-the-century. with their amazing record In Europe helping them to the crown. Madrid have won the European Cup eight times in the 11 final appearances.

Holland were named teain-of-the-year while Leeds United's Lucas Radebe was given FIFA's fair play award for 2000.

Radebe received the award for his fight against racism in football

Italian Antonio Mattarese. president of FIFA's security commission, said: "Radebe is not only an excellent player, but a great personality off the pitch and a man with a big heart for children all over the world."

The 31-year-old Radebe is generally known to put in a great deal of time working with children in the Soweto township. near Johannesburg.