“The Socrates Prize will reward the best social initiative of committed champions”, indicates a press release from Soccer France magazine that awards the Ballon d’Or.
These initiatives will include those promoting social integration, environmental protection or assistance to disadvantaged groups, threatened or victims of conflict.
The @lequipe group is joining forces with @peaceandsport for the creation of a societal prize as part of the Ballon d’O… https://t.co/qrKu4BUaKm
— Ballon d’Or #ballondor (@francefootball) 1663740276000
France Football said it chose Socrates, who died in 2011 at the age of 57, because of his commitment to a campaign he helped organize at his club, Corinthians of Sao Paulo, when Brazil were under a military dictatorship called “Corinthian Democracy”.
While warned to stop interfering in political affairs, the players went unpunished due to their notoriety and because they focused on bringing democracy only to their club, insisting on the fact that there was a vote on decisions concerning the management of the club.
The prize will be awarded by a jury made up of the former Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain midfielder. Raiwho is the younger brother of Socrates, as well as representatives of France Football and leaders of the Peace and Sport organization based in Monaco.
“Socrates always believed in the power of sport to mobilize and transform society to make it more equal,” Rai said in a statement. “He demonstrated it as a player through his fight for the re-democratization of Brazil.
“Eleven years after his death, he remains the symbol of the champion committed to a fairer world.”
The Ballon d’Or gala will take place in Paris on October 17.