President of the Italian FA (FIGC), Giancarlo Abete, is furious at the inclusion of four French players in the shortlist of 30 nominees for the prestigious Ballon d'Or award, whilst Italy has none.

The list is dominated by players based in England and Spain, with Manchester United, Chelsea, Arsenal, and Liverpool all having more than one representative.

"If there is a problem with Italian football, then it's down to the reality of the international scene," Abete conceded to La Repubblica.

"No Italian player in the list of 30 should make us reflect... We have to do well on the continent."

Whilst the main battle for the crown will inevitbaly be fought between last year's winner Cristiano Ronaldo and Barcelona's treble winning Lionel Messi, Abete took a swipe at the French by suggesting their players were unworthy of recognition.

"I believe there could have been some Italians in there. There are French players in the list, but Italy are qualified for the World Cup, whereas France are in the play-offs," he concluded.

The coveted Ballon d'Or is voted for by journalists and organized by France Football magazine with the winner announced on December 1st.