Marcus Rashford Could miss out from the BBC Sports Personality of the Year shortlist in 2020 despite being favourite to win the award, MySportDab reports.
The Manchester United player has been tipped to win the Award in December after his high-profile free school meals campaign.
But, MySportDab understands that Rashford is now likely to miss out based on different criteria for the award which ensures that the shortlist must have ‘sporting achievements’.
A judging panel for the award will meet next month to decide the Award shortlist.
It is not anticipated that there will be any changes this year unless there’s public pressure.
BBC are aware they could face a backlash if Rashford is not included in the award shortlist.
The Award show will be held in Salford without large audiences on December 20th.
Rashford should be in the shortlist for the Helen Rollason Award, given for ‘outstanding achievement with adversity’.
The shortlist is always announced around the end of November, but in 2018 it was revealed on the night of the programme, which could be an option used again this year.
Public fans support for Rashford has seen him rise above Formula One star Lewis Hamilton as the favourite for the award but it’s causing BBC a major headache.
The SPOTY Award shortlist is decided by a panel of 12 people, which includes BBC representatives, and the sports industry.
The panel are shown a list of the top sports personalities of the year compiled by the SPOTY award team.
The panel then announces a shortlist based on ‘consensus view’.
If a consensus view cannot be reached, a vote will be used.
In 2012, BBC faced heavy criticism for having no woman on their 10 people shortlist that year.
BBC Sports have covered Rashford’s food campaign frequently this year.
