Ada Hegerberg twerk row: DJ slammed for 'non-apology' after asking Ballon d'Or winner to perform dance

A DJ was today condemned for issuing a “pathetic apology” after he asked the first winner of the Women’s Ballon d’Or award for the world’s best footballer if she knew how to twerk.

Martin Solveig, who co-hosted the ceremony in Paris, sparked outrage when he put the question about the sexually suggestive dance move to Norwegian international Ada Hegerberg.

The 23-year-old striker, who plays for French club Lyon, looked irritated, replied “no” and walked off stage. Later, in a 53-second video clip posted on Twitter Solveig, 42, said he was “amazed and astonished” by the furore and said he wanted to apologise “for the one I may have offended” without mentioning Hegerberg’s name.

But it failed to end the row, with many critics saying it was a “non-apology.”

Former Chelsea forward Eniola Aluko tweeted a reply to Solveig: “Pathetic apology. Everyone who has an ounce of decency and respect for women is offended you knob.”

Tennis star Andy Murray expressed his support for Hegerberg, writing on Instagram: “Another example of the ridiculous sexism that still exists in sport. Why do women still have to put up with that s**t?”

After the event, Hegerberg, who has scored 284 goals in 304 club and country career appearances, told reporters that she accepted the apology from the French DJ. She was quoted on skysports.com saying: “I didn’t really consider it as sexual harassment or anything in the moment. I was just happy to ... win the Ballon d’Or to be honest.”

Ballon d'Or 2018 - In pictures

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The three-times Champions League winner gave a speech encouraging girls to play football before her award was overshadowed by Solveig’s remark.

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