Sexism scandal taints ceremony

It was meant to be a moment of triumph. Ada Hegerberg, a 23-yearold Norwegian football player, had just become the first woman to win the Ballon d’Or, one of football’s most prestigious individual honours. But for some, the historic moment was quickly spoiled when, in an onstage exchange after her acceptance speech, the French DJ Martin Solveig asked Hegerberg something that had nothing to do with her expertise: whether she knew how to twerk.

“No,” Hegerberg said, quickly dismissing the idea.

The exchange took off on social media, where critics — including some high-profile athletes — accused Solveig of sexism and assailed him for undermining a moment of professional achievement with a reference to the provocative dance move.

“This is an absolute joke,” Lindsey Horan, a United States women’s team midfielder who was one of the finalists for the women’s Ballon d’Or, tweeted in response to Solveig’s comment. She offered her support for Hegerberg: “Congrats and you do not deserve this.”