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FIFA Female Player of the Century was an award created by the global governing body FIFA to decide the greatest football female player of the 20th century. American player Michelle Akers was presented with the honor when at the FIFA World Player of the Year Awards Gala in Rome, Italy on 11 December 2000.
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Background
Since 1991, FIFA has been awarding honors for FIFA World Player of the Year. The organization decided to ring in the new millennium by conducting a public vote to decide the FIFA Player of the Century (for male players), FIFA Goalkeeper of the Century, and FIFA Female Player of the Century.
Voting
Akers was named FIFA Player of the Century in joint voting by readers of FIFA Magazine (weighted at 50%) and the members of the FIFA Football Committee (also weighted at 50%). China's Sun Wen was honored with the FIFA Internet Award based on the votes cast by the fans through the FIFA website.
In addition to Akers' award, American forward Mia Hamm, finished in the top three in voting for both awards. Hamm finished behind Sun Wen (footballer) in the Internet Award balloting, and third behind both Akers and Sun in the Player of the Century voting.