Ballon d'Or 2018: Luka Modric and Ada Hegerberg win awards
Luka Modric won men’s award to break Ronaldo-Messi duopoly
Paris, Dec 04: Luka Modric ended a decade of dominance by Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo in the Ballon d’Or but the Croatian’s win was overshadowed when the inaugural winner of the women’s award, Ada Hegerberg, was asked to twerk live on stage by the host DJ, Martin Solveig.
Hegerberg, who helped Lyon to the French title and Champions League, scoring in the final, pipped Denmark’s Pernille Harder to the prize but appeared embarrassed when asked by Solveig if she wanted to dance in celebration and “knew how to twerk”.
The 23-year-old said “no” and seemed to attempt to leave the stage, before reluctantly agreeing to dance to another song with Ginola. Solveig tweeted shortly after the ceremony, saying he had apologised to Hegerberg for the remark.
“I explained to [Ada] and she told me she understood it was a joke,” Solveig wrote. “Nevertheless, my apologies to anyone who may have been offended. Most importantly, congratulations to Ada.”
“He came to me afterwards and was really sad that it went that way,” The Norwegian forward said. “I didn’t really consider it sexual harassment or anything in the moment. I was just happy to do the dance and win the Ballon d’Or.”
Hegerberg added she was extremely proud to be named the first female winner. “It’s incredible,” she said. “This is a great motivation to continue working hard and we will continue to work together to win more titles. I wanted to end with some words for young girls around the world: believe in yourselves.”
Andy Murray was among those on social media who criticised Solveig’s comment, calling it “another example of the ridiculous sexism in sport.”
“What questions did they ask Mbappé and Modric?” the British tennis player added on Instagram. “I’d imagine something to do with football. And to everyone who thinks I’m 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.”
Modric won a third straight Champions League title and inspired his country to reach the World Cup final, and there are few who will begrudge his victory, with Ronaldo in second. Lionel Messi only came fifth, finishing behind France duo Antoine Griezmann and Kylian Mbappé – the first time since 2006 that the Argentina forward has not finished in the top three.
There had been a clue that there would be a new winner in the 63rd edition of this award - Blackpool’s Stanley Matthews was the first in 1956 - when neither Ronaldo nor Messi were present at the Grand Palais in Paris, although in typically humble fashion Modric admitted he had been pleasantly surprised to be recognised after being congratulated on his victory by Croatia president Kolinda Grabar-Kitarovic.
Having become the first teenager to score in the World Cup final since Pele in 1958 as France won their second title in Russia, Paris Saint-Germain’s forward Mbappé was the runaway winner of the inaugural Kopa Trophy for the best player under the age of 21 ahead of Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. Mohamed Salah finished in sixth place in the men’s award in recognition of his fantastic debut season at Anfield that saw him score 32 Premier League goals.
Salah was the highest-ranked player from the Premier League, with Chelsea’s Eden Hazard eighth, Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City ninth and Tottenham’s Harry Kane – who won the Golden Boot in Russia – 10th.
?⚽ BALLON D'OR 2018
— Real Madrid C.F.⚽ (@realmadrid) December 3, 2018
?? @lukamodric10 pic.twitter.com/aEvfNWXwJl
Courtesy: www.theguardian.com
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Speculations about Cabinet reshuffle in Karnataka gain momentum
Bengaluru (PTI): Speculations regarding the reshuffle of the Siddaramaiah-led Cabinet in the days ahead gained momentum in Karnataka with senior Minister Satish Jorkiholi on Wednesday stating that there are talks about such an exercise, but don't know when it will take place.
His statement came a day after Deputy Chief Minister D K Shivakumar, who is also the state Congress president, indicated the possibility of a Cabinet reshuffle, noting that few ministers have been given a "message" about their term.
"There are talks that it will be done. Don't know when it will be done, but there is news that some people will be changed, to change some portfolios. Such discussions are on, but I don't know when...I have not asked for anything. It is left for the high command, whom they will give and how..." Jarkiholi, who is the PWD Minister said.
To a question about whether the reshuffle will be based on performance, he said, "Maybe... it may be they (leadership) are not satisfied with some, or they may continue with the existing ministers and not do the Cabinet rejig. Can't say...there are also several seniors in our party."
Asked about whether ministers will be ready to give up the post in case of a reshuffle, Jarkiholi said, "What the high command says is final....if the list comes from Delhi (leadership of Congress), there ends the story. One should vacate the house and go...Delhi is final."
Speculations are rife about Cabinet reshuffle and evaluation of the performance of the ministers, ever since the Lok Sabha poll results. There has also been a demand from a section of MLAs, who are ministerial aspirants, to be inducted into the Cabinet. Some have openly expressed their wish to become ministers.
CM Siddaramaiah and his deputy Shivakumar's Delhi visit is also adding to the speculations.
While Siddaramaiah is leaving for the national capital tomorrow evening, Shivakumar is already there.
Home Minister G Parameshwara earlier in the day said, Cabinet reshuffle is the prerogative of the chief minister and he would take a decision in consultation with the state Congress president and the high command.
"I don't know about it. Cabinet reshuffle is the chief minister's prerogative. He will consult the Pradesh Congress Committee president and go about it. This has been the practice. I don't know what decisions they make. It has to be done in consultation with the high command," Parameshwara said in response to a question on Cabinet reshuffle.
To a question about Shivakumar's statement, he said, "He (Shivakumar) is the party state president. I don't know what messages he has sent (to some ministers)."
Health Minister Dinesh Gundu Rao in Shivamogga said there is no development for now regarding Cabinet reshuffle, but everyone should be prepared for it.
Reacting to Shivakumar's statement, he said, "It is good if the reshuffle is done after two years as others should also get the opportunity. He might have said it with that intention. It is not that only we should continue (as ministers) and others shouldn't come (to the post), so everyone should be prepared..."
Meanwhile, Jarkiholi, who is also seen as the contender for the KPCC president post, said party presidentship is not an easy job. It is a difficult task and a responsibility to handle.
"Everyone's cooperation is required to handle the post, but there is no discussion about changing the president post for now....it is not an easy job. It is like standing on thorns, it is a difficult job," he added.
Shivakumar, who has completed four years as president of the Karnataka Pradesh Congress Committee (KPCC), is currently on an extension in the post.
