Paris, Dec 4 (IANS): French DJ Martin Solveig apologised on Tuesday for asking the first female winner of the Ballon d'Or award Ada Hegerberg if she knew how to twerk as she collected the prestigious football accolade.

Solveig had asked the Norwegian forward if she knew "how to twerk" at a ceremony held here on Monday evening, to which she swiftly replied "no."

"I explained to Ada Hegerberg the buzz and she told me she understood it was a joke," said Solveig in a tweet. "Nevertheless my apologies to anyone who may have been offended. Most importantly congratulations to Ada."

In a previous tweet the DJ said he was a respectful person, "especially with women."

Twerking is a sexually provocative dance move.

"Another example of the ridiculous sexism that still exists in sport," Scottish tennis star Andy Murray said of the incident on Instagram. "What questions did they ask (Kylian) Mbappe and (Luka) Modric? I'd imagine something to do with football."

Hegerberg, 23, made history on Monday when she became the first female soccer player to claim the Ballon d'Or.

Modric and Mbappe also received Ballon d'Or awards on Monday evening.