Sexism 101: Soccer Player Ada Hegerberg Asked to Twerk on Stage

Ballon d’Or: DJ Martin Solveig sorry for Ada Hegerberg ‘twerk’ question  

(Photo: AP) 

One of the most prestigious soccer awards ceremonies in the world sparked outrage Monday night when the first-ever women’s soccer player of the year was asked to twerk on stage by a male presenter.

One really doesn’t need to understand the game, or have to know the sportsperson, to know that asking a woman to twerk on stage is just NOT ok.

Norwegian striker Ada Hegerberg, 23, had just accepted her trophy when the presenter, Martin Solveig, a DJ and producer, asked her in French if “she could twerk”. Hegerberg declined. With an abrupt “no,” she turned and left.

Hegerberg had just been crowned the first ever recipient of the Women’s Ballon D’or – an annual soccer award that until this year only recognized the best male player in the world.

Hegerberg was the leading scorer with 15 goals as her team, Lyon, won the Champions League for the third year in a row.

Despite the apology, the point of discussion has now moved towards casual sexism. Even the biggest names in the business have called out DJ Solveig for his inappropriate question.

Another example of the ridiculous sexism that still exists in sport. To everyone who thinks people are overreacting and it was just a joke... it wasn’t. I’ve been involved in sport my whole life and the level of sexism is unreal.

Andy Murray to the <a href="https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/46435168">BBC</a>

Women in Sport, a charity organisation also said that it was 'extremely disappointed' at the comments made by Solveig.

Would a male sport star ever have been asked to do such a thing while receiving an award? Why is it that women have to bear the burden of proving themselves in a traditional male-dominated field and then oblige to churlish demands made by men?

Hegerberg should be appreciated for the sport that she plays. Her gender does not define what she can or will do. She is a sportsperson and should be respected for what she is.

Women have come a long way to create space for themselves and if a sportsperson of her caliber is asked to twerk on an international stage, then it sets a bad precedence for how women are going to be perceived in the next few decades.