Hearts benefactor James Anderson shortlisted for prestigious FIFA fan award - and how you can vote

Hearts benefactor James Anderson has been shortlist for a prestigious FIFA award.
FIFA will host a 'The Best' ceremony later this month. Picture: GettyFIFA will host a 'The Best' ceremony later this month. Picture: Getty
FIFA will host a 'The Best' ceremony later this month. Picture: Getty

The Scottish philanthropist is a candidate for the FIFA fan award, recognising an outstanding fan moment or gesture which has been compiled by a panel of experts.

It will be part of the organisation’s ‘The Best’ ceremony which takes place later this month.

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Anderson has been nominated following his generosity to Scottish football during the coronavirus pandemic.

The Edinburgh-based investor donated £3.125million to the SPFL Trust, while he also supported women’s football in the country.

In June he said: “Football is at the heart of communities across Scotland, and there are not many societal organisations that bring people together nowadays, to catch them in a net when they fall.

“When Covid-19 struck, I realised what a significant loss it would be for towns across the country if their local SPFL club’s very survival was threatened.

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“This isn’t just about the passion on the pitch, which is why we love the game, but about the responsibility our clubs take in communities across Scotland.”

James Anderson has been nominated for a FIFA award.James Anderson has been nominated for a FIFA award.
James Anderson has been nominated for a FIFA award.

His donation was followed by that of an associate who gave the SPFL trust a further £1.25milion.

FIFA, in their profile of Anderson, wrote: “The COVID-19 pandemic has shaken the entire world, with the effects still being felt in all walks of life, and football is no exception.

“Scottish philanthropist James Anderson, who in the past had given similar sums to support the arts, responded to the pandemic by donating around three million pounds last summer to help football clubs around the country and their respective communities.”

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Anderson is up against Colombian fans who put rivalries aside to distribute food to people in need during the pandemic and Brazilian Marivaldo Francisco da Silva, supporter of Sport Club do Recife who walked 64 kilometres to watch his side play, a trip which took 12 hours.

Fans can vote via the FIFA website. All award winners will be revealed at The Best FIFA Football Awards show in Zurich on Thursday, December 17.