The twerk gaffe at yesterday's Ballon d'Or ceremony shows there are some who still view women's football as less significant than the men's game, says Football Ferns striker Rosie White.
As the female category was introduced for the very first time during the awards, which recognise the best footballers on the planet, what should have been winner Ada Hegerberg's historic moment was spoiled, as the Norweigan star was asked to twerk on stage by host , French DJ Martin Solveig.
In contrast, the winner of the male category, Real Madrid and Croatia midfielder Luka Modric was asked no such question at the Paris ceremony.
Naturally, outrage was quick to follow, with Hegerberg's moment in the spotlight now overshadowed by a moment of stupidity from Solveig.
Appearing on TVNZ Football Club, White, who's played nearly 100 times for the Football Ferns, pointed out that the incident shows the attitudes that some hold towards women's football.
"That's really embarrassing," White said.
"It kind of shows the reality of the situation for women's football, that there's still people that would say that, at that kind of event.
"It's like 'come on, it's not a joke anymore'. It's not really funny that this happened.
"I'm sure she's pretty gutted that that went on."
Former Football Ferns defender Maia Jackman also told 1 NEWS about the negative impact that yesterday's incident will have.
Ada Hegerberg was named the best woman footballer on the planet today, but Maia Jackman says her moment was stolen by silly remark by French DJ Martin Solveig.
"I feel sad because it's a very historical moment that's been overshadowed by this guy saying 'can you twerk' to Ada and it's taken the moment away from her," said Jackman.
"It's almost sexualised the moment for entertainment purposes."
Solveig has since apologised for the incident.
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