Twerking suggestion sets off online uproar

First female winner shrugs off remarks

Paris – French DJ Martin Solveig apologised and said he was taken aback by the stormy reaction online after he asked inaugural women’s Ballon d’Or winner Ada Hegerberg whether she could “twerk” live on stage.

The awards co-host in Paris provoked a torrent of complaints about sexism with his question about the sexually suggestive dance, which received a blunt “No” from the unamused Norwegian striker. The incident was a major talking point despite Hegerberg’s achievement in becoming the first winner of the women’s Ballon d’Or, an award which has been handed to male footballers since 1956.

Ada Hegerberg. Solveig, a musician and radio host, apologised in person to Hegerberg.

“Guys I’m a little bit amazed, astonished by what I’m reading on the internet,” he said on Twitter.

“Of course, I didn’t want to offend anyone … this was a joke, probably a bad one and I want to apologise for the one I may have offended.”

As footage of the incident went viral, British tennis player Andy Murray led the backlash with: “Why do women still have to put up with that s***?” “What questions did they ask [Kylian] Mbappe and [Luka] Modric?” he posted on Instagram, referring to the winners of the best young player and the men’s Ballon d’Or. Hegerberg, 23, whose goals propelled Lyon to a record fifth Champions League title, played down the controversy.

“I didn’t feel it was like that at all to be honest, and I am sad if people thought … that,” said Hegerberg. – AFP