The first ever female winner of football's prestigious Ballon d’Or award was asked to twerk onstage moments after receiving the prize, prompting an outpouring of frustration from across the world.
In the past, the annual Ballon d'Or awards ceremony has honoured the best male footballer of the year, with past winners including Cristiano Ronaldo and Lionel Messi.
On Monday night, Ada Hegerberg became the first female footballer to win the women's version of the award at ceremony in Paris, while Luka Modric won the prize for men's football.
But the award was overshadowed when the Norwegian international footballer went to collect it on stage and was asked by the presenter, French DJ Martin Solveig, if she knew “how to twerk”.
The question prompted widespread anger, with many people online expressing their disbelief over the remark.
“First female Ballon d’Or winner for best women’s footballer asked if she can twerk on stage while collecting the reward. Absolute disgrace that,” one person wrote on Twitter.
“No place for blatant sexism in the sport I love.”
“I really hope @martinsolveig also asked Modric if he could twerk,” another person wrote.
“On the plus side I'm glad to see that there are men who are infuriated by this as well.”
One person commented that it was an “utter shame that such an historic moment in women’s football was marred by an unnecessary comment.”
The Twitter user then expressed his admiration for the closing lines of Hegerberg’s acceptance speech, in which she said: “I would like to end this speech with some words to young girls all over the world. Please, believe in yourself.”
Hegerberg made history at the awards ceremony when she became the first female footballer to win the highly regarded Ballon d’Or prize.
Solveig has since said sorry for causing offence, posting a video of his apology on Twitter and writing: “Sincere apologies to the one I may have offended.”
He also shared a photo of the pair together backstage, explaining that Hegerberg “understood it was a joke.”
