A host at the Ballon d'Or football awards ceremony has apologised for asking the newly crowned world’s best female footballer to “twerk” onstage.
Lyon striker Ada Hegerberg won the prestigious title at the event in Paris last night – only to be asked if she knew how to twerk by French DJ and host Martin Solveig.
He has apologised after some furious criticism on social media.
WHAT A NIGHT âï¸ Photo: Ivar Waage Johansen pic.twitter.com/bDfbUuAYrI
— Ada S Hegerberg (@AdaStolsmo) December 4, 2018
Speaking afterwards, Hegerberg said it was not a big deal.
“He was really sad that it went that way,” she said.
“I didn’t think about it in that moment; I didn’t consider it sexual harassment or anything.”
It is the first time organisers France Football has awarded a Ballon d'Or for the women's game.
In her acceptance speech at the ceremony in Paris, Hegerberg said: "I want to say thanks to my teammates because this would not have been possible without them, my coach or our president Jean-Michel Aulas.
"I also want to thank France Football. This is a huge step for women's football.
"And to young girls all over the world, please, believe in yourself."
Sincere apologies to the one I may have offended. My point was : I don’t invite women to twerk but dance on a Sinatra song. Watch the full sequence People who have followed me for 20 years know how respectful I am especially with women pic.twitter.com/pnZX8qvl4R
— Martin Solveig (@martinsolveig) December 3, 2018
For his part Solveig apologised and said he did not mean to offend anyone.
“This comes from a distortion of my English level and my English culture level – which is obviously not enough because I did not mean to offend anyone,” he said.
Meanwhile the men's award went to Real Madrid's Luka Modric – the first time in ten years it hasn’t gone to either Lionel Messi or Cristiano Ronaldo.
