Murray joins outrage over sexist Ballon d’or comment
● Tennis star says women in sport are still facing ‘ridiculous sexism’
Andy Murray has criticised the co-host of the Ballon d’or after he asked Ada Hegerberg on stage if she knew how to twerk, claiming the incident shows sexism still exists in sport.
The 23-year-old Olympique Lyonnais striker was announced as the first winner of the women’s Ballon d’or by ex-france international David Ginola, and gave an empowering speech encouraging more girls to play football.
However, as the Norway international was leaving the stage, French DJ and event cohost Martin Solveig asked her if she could twerk. The threetime women’s Champions League winner abruptly said “no” before walking away.
After the event, Ms Hegerberg told reporters that she had accepted an apology from Mr Solveig, 42.
But former tennis world number one Murray – a longtime campaigner for equality – hit out at Mr Solveig.
The Scot wrote on Instagram: “Another example of the ridiculous sexism that still exists in sport. Why do woman [sic] still have to put up with that s***?
“What questions did they ask Mbappe and Modric [the male junior and senior winners]? 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
0 French DJ and musician Martin Solveig with Ada Hegerberg, of Olympique Lyonnais and Norway
been involved in sport my whole life and the level of sexism is unreal.”
Ms Hegerberg said: “He [Solveig] came to me afterwards and was really sad that it went that way.
“I didn’t really think about
it at the time to be honest. I didn’t really consider it as sexual harassment or anything in the moment. I was just happy to win the Ballon d’or.”
Accompanied by a video apologising further to Ms Hegerberg, Mr Solveig wrote
on Twitter: “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.”
England defender and Lyon team-mate Lucy Bronze, who came sixth, believed the incident was just a joke.