Howard Walker, Staff Reporter
World Player of the Year 2006 Fabio Cannavaro of Italy shows his trophy during the FIFA World Player Gala in Zurich yesterday. Italy's World Cup-winning captain Cannavaro gained individual recognition for his performances in this year's tournament in Germany when he was named FIFA World Player of the Year on Monday. - Reuters
When Italian Fabio Cannavaro and Marta of Brazil captured the 2006 FIFA World Players of the Year awards, four Jamaicans had a say, and only Carl Brown chose the correct one.
The World Players were chosen by coaches and captains from every FIFA affiliate country. Former coach Carl Brown and captain Ricardo Fuller voted in the male section, while female coach Vin Blaine and team captain Nicole Bell cast their votes for the other segment designated to people involved with women's teams.
Brown voted for Italians Cannavaro, Gianluigi Buffon and Cameroon's Samuel Eto'o in that order, while Fuller threw his weight behind Brazilian Ronaldhino, Didier Drogba (Ivory Coast) and Kaka (Brazil).
Formula
The formula used by FIFA to decide the winner is as follows: the amount of first place votes multiplied by five; the amount of second place votes multiplied by three and the amount of third place votes multiplied by one.
Cannavaro got 70 first place votes and totalled 498 points ahead of Zinedine Zidane with 66 first place votes and 454 points. Ronaldhino placed third with 50 first place votes and 380 points. Frenchman Thierry Henry was some distance back in fourth on 317 points.
Brazilian Marta copped the female section ahead of Kristine Lilly (USA) and German Renate Lingor with Abby Wambach (USA) in fourth.
Marta tallied 64 first place votes for 475 points. Lilly got 44 first place choices for 388 points, while Lingor copped 39 first place votes and 305 points.
Jamaica's female coach Blaine voted for Abby Wambach (USA), Kristine Lilly (USA) and Christine Sinclair (Canada) in that order.
Reggae Girlz captain Nicole Bell voted for Kelly Smith (England), Wambach and Marta. Bell's choice of Smith ended fifth with 157 points.
