Women's Ballon d'Or presenter apologises after asking winner Ada Hegerberg to 'twerk'

The Ballon d'Or awards scored an embarrassing own goal on Monday night at a ceremony that was meant to represent a major breakthrough for female footballers.

As Lyon's Ada Hegerburg stepped up to take the inaugural women's prize, she was asked by French DJ Martin Solveig if she knew how to twerk.

The Norwegian seemed briefly non-plussed before joining in a more conventional waltz on stage as the audience looked on in embarrssment.

"He came to me afterwards and was really sad that it went that way," said Hegerburg, 23, a three-time Women's Champions League winner who scored a tournament-record 15 times last season.  

"I didn't really think about it at the time to be honest. I didn't really consider it a sexual harassment or anything in the moment.

Ada Hegerberg was asked if she can twerk shortly after claiming the women's Ballon d'Or Credit: Reuters

"I was just happy to do the dance and win the Ballon d'Or to be honest. I will have a glass of champagne when I get back, yes."

Solveig later claimed that he was just making an attempt at humour which had backfired, saying: "Sincere apologies to the one I may have offended". But his comments sparked outrage on social media, with many accusing him of sexism and disrespect.

Stuart Holden, the former United States and Bolton midfielder, said: "Let’s not let one idiots sexism and ignorance shadow what is an incredible achievement and honor for Ada."

Andy Murray condemned the "ridiculous sexism that still exists in sport", having previously spoken out on the issue on a number of occasions.

Hegerberg dances with French DJ Martin Solveig, who presented her with the award Credit: AFP

"Why do woman [sic] have to put up with that s---?", the former world No 1 tennis player said on Instagram. "What questions did they ask [Kylian] Mbappe and [Luka] Modric? I'd imagine something to do with football.

"And to everyone who thinks people are overreacting and it was just a joke.. It wasn't. I've been involved in sport my whole life and the level of sexism is unreal."

Murray has in the past called for female tennis players to be given more chances on centre court at Wimbledon and corrected a journalist who chose to forget the women's game when they claimed Sam Querrey was "the first US player to reach a major semi-final since 2009".

Meanwhile, the men's award, which goes annually to the player considered the best in world football, was won by midfielder Luka Modric, who  won the Champions League with Real Madrid and then guided Croatia to the World Cup final in July. He ended the long reign of Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo, who had won every Ballon d'Or since 2008.

"As a kid we all have dreams," said Modric. "My dream was to play for a big club and win important trophies," Modric said. "The Ballon d'Or was more than just a dream for me and it is really an honor and a privilege to hold this trophy."

