Beckham and Owen favourites for awards

David Beckham is favourite to receive the World Player of the Year award at the FIFA ceremony tonight.

David Beckham is favourite to receive the World Player of the Year award at the FIFA ceremony tonight.

The Manchester United and England midfielder is nominated alongside Raul of Spain and Portugal’s Luis Figo.

The FIFA award is voted for by 132 national team coaches, who are all asked to vote for the best three players of 2001.

Spain, Portugal and England have never had winners of the award. FIFA are keeping the result a closely guarded secret.

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Elsewhere, Liverpool's Michael Owen is expected to claim the European Footballer of the year award, which is voted for by France Footballmagazine.

There are 50 contenders for the European award, including Beckham, Figo and Raul. France Footballwill also give awards to the top player and team. Both are also thought to be Anfield-bound.

The winners of the European awards will be announced tomorrow.

PA