Anger at use of 'scantily-clad' dancers at footballer awards ceremony

'Some very strong messages about racism and diversity from the chairman and chief exec. And then they put on the scantily clad dancing girls,' says Sky Sports presenter

The Manor, a grime musical act, performed a song called “Ibiza” with women in white swimsuits at the prestigious annual event at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel (PA)

The Professional Footballers’ Association has been criticised for having “scantily-clad” backing dancers in swimming costumes at the its player of the year awards.

The Manor, a grime musical act, performed a song called Ibiza with women in white swimsuits during the bash at London’s Grosvenor House Hotel.

Claire Tomlinson, a Sky Sports presenter who was the first woman to present the PFA awards, condemned the "juxtaposition" between the PFA’s robust messaging about racism and its decision to host the dancers.

“At The PFA Awards – some very strong messages about racism and diversity from the chairman and chief exec. And then they put on the scantily clad dancing girls,” she tweeted.

Ms Tomlinson, Arsenal’s former head of communications, added: “It’s about the juxtaposition of messages.. (sighs)”.

“The optics of this are dreadful but it’s the comments that show just how far we still have to go,” replied a commenter after people chimed in to hit out at Ms Tomlison’s remarks. "People that probably wouldn’t have seen anything wrong with asking Ada Hegerberg to twerk.”

French DJ Martin Solveig stoked controversy when he asked Ada Hegerberg if she could twerk while he presented the Ballon d’Or awards in Paris last December.

The 23-year-old Lyon striker, a three-time Champions League winner who was the first ever female winner of the esteemed accolade, used her acceptance speech to say that she hoped the recognition she received would inspire the next generation of female footballers to believe in themselves but the controversy overshadowed the event.

Later in the evening, Arsenal star Vivianne Miedema was reportedly presented with her Women’s Player of the Year trophy engraved with her name spelt "Vivienne".

The PFA did not immediately respond to a request for comment.