Advertisement

Female footballer's historic moment ruined by 'disgusting' question

Yahoo Sport Australia

A historic moment in female football has been destroyed by a male presenter’s disgraceful question.

Moments after Ada Hegerberg became the first female recipient of the Ballon d’Or on Tuesday morning, she was asked to answer some questions from DJ Martin Solveig.

HUGE SNUB: Messi’s historic low as Modric wins male Ballon d’Or

The French DJ was a guest host at the prestigious awards ceremony, but we doubt he’ll be invited back.

In shocking scenes, Solveig asked Hegerberg if she could twerk on stage.

Hegerberg reacted with shock. Source: L’Equippe
Hegerberg reacted with shock. Source: L’Equippe

The Norwegian footballer reacted with shock before quickly responding ‘no’ and walking away.

Those in the crowd audibly gasped, as the camera cut to French star Kylian Mbappé in the front row, who didn’t look impressed.

Football journalist Jason Pettigrove branded Solveig “f***ing pathetic”, while hoards of other social media users also slammed the DJ.

Solveig offered an apology on social media afterwards, describing it as a ‘bad joke’.

However Hederberg has since played down the furore, insisting she wasn’t upset.

“He came to me afterwards and was really sad that it went that way,” she said afterwards.

“I didn’t really think about it at the time to be honest. I didn’t really consider it a sexual harassment or anything in the moment.

“I was just happy to do the dance (to Sinatra) and win the Ballon d’Or to be honest.”

‘I don’t think the respect has been there’

A jury of 45 journalists picked the 23-year-old Hegerberg from among 15 nominees, including Matildas star striker Sam Kerr, who was fifth in the voting.

“For the first time a woman will win football’s highest honour. So even if I don’t win, we will,” Kerr posted on Instagram before the awards ceremony on Monday.

Kerr had another outstanding 2018 winning the NWSL golden boot, the PFA Women’s Footballer of the Year and ESPY Award for Best International Women’s Soccer Player.

Dane Pernille Harder and German Dzsenifer Marozsan rounding out the top three while Brazilian Marta was fourth.

Ada Hegerberg wins the 2018 Ballon D’Or. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)
Ada Hegerberg wins the 2018 Ballon D’Or. (Photo by Aurelien Meunier/Getty Images)

Hegerberg called the award “a huge step for women’s football” and also told The Associated Press she feels “very proud” to be the first Ballon d’Or-winning woman.

She scored a tournament-record 15 goals for Lyon in the Women’s Champions League last season.

Hegerberg also expressed frustration about living “in such a man’s world” and said the award will not make her reconsider her refusal to play for Norway, including at next June’s Women’s World Cup, because of her unhappiness over perceived inequality.

“A lot of things need to be done to make the conditions better for women who play football,” she said.

“It’s all about how we respect women’s football. I don’t think the respect has been there.

“I wish the national team the best, though. We just follow two different paths at the moment.”

France Football magazine has been awarding the Ballon d’Or – until now only to men – since 1956.

with AAP