Police called over suspicious Ballon d'Or bets after Harry Kane triumph as investigation launched

Police investigating suspicious betting on Ballon d'Or results after Harry Kane's win; 12 accounts allegedly wagered $264,000 predicting the exact top-five order.

Harry Kane's Ballon d'Or triumph has been overshadowed by a betting scandal. Twelve Polymarket accounts allegedly wagered over $264,000 on the outcome, with bets placed before Monday's ceremony at London's Palladium Theatre predicting the precise top-five order: Kane first, Kylian Mbappe second, Lamine Yamal third, Rodri fourth, and Lionel Messi fifth. The accuracy of these wagers—which generated £149,000 in winnings—has raised questions about whether results were leaked before the award was announced.

French media outlet Upside discovered the suspicious accounts, which were created between October 1 and 20, showed similar activity patterns, and seven of the twelve had placed no other bets. Six placed their first wagers just 15 minutes after being created. Investigators traced one bet back to a French betting platform, which identified the person behind one account, though their identity has not been disclosed.

France Football, the award's organiser, opened an investigation after being informed on Friday. Police have also been contacted. Kane, Bayern Munich's striker, became the first Englishman to win the award since Michael Owen in 2001.