Italy failed to vote in the Ballon d'Or award.

It's claimed the decision was made in protest at Juventus goalkeeper Gigi Buffon not being nominated.

The captain and CT of the Azzurri - Buffon himself and Antonio Conte - are entitled to cast their vote for any of the 49-man shortlist.

However, FIFA's official breakdown of the voting shows that neither cast a vote, and Sky claims that the FIGC instructed them to abstain in protest at Buffon's snub.