Former Italy coach Cesare Prandelli says it would be scandalous if the leaked Ballon d'Or shortlist -- which did not feature Gianluigi Buffon -- proved accurate.
Spain's Mundo Deportivo published a long-list of 59 names it claims are in the running for FIFA's prestigious annual award.
While the likes of David Ospina, Christian Atsu and Massimo Luongo are present, Buffon is not.
The Juventus goalkeeper only found out about his potential exclusion from the morning newspapers in Italy, and released a statement explaining his surprise at not being considered at least one of the top five goalkeepers in the world.
FIFA is due to reveal its official list on Wednesday and Prandelli believes if it does prove to be the one published last week, it would be a travesty.
"It's a scandal, not just a slip-up," he told Radio Onda Libera. "I was shocked [when I found out]. Buffon's class can be seen also in the answer he gave with his own statement."
Prandelli also expressed his surprise in the way the Serie A season has started, with his former club Fiorentina leading the way and Juventus struggling.
"Fiorentina are playing good football and they are giving their fans something to dream about," he said. "It's a club which really lets you work. Foreign coaches, like Paulo Sousa, are not plunged into a stressful situation when they arrive, which means they can just focus on the work.
"It's been an odd season so far because many of the big clubs have changed a lot and they're struggling, while the other are more ready and are causing upsets."