Novak Djokovic made a surprise appearance at the Ballon d’Or awards on 30 October to present one of the trophies – but not everybody was happy with the tennis player’s inclusion. The Serb was selected to present the 2023 Ballon d'Or Feminin award to Aitana Bonmati, the Spain and Barcelona star. Bonmati won the top women’s trophy ahead of England’s Mary Earps and others, while Lionel Messi took his record eighth men’s award at the ceremony in Paris. The midfielder enjoyed a landmark year as an instrumental part of both a Champions League winning side in Barcelona, and her World Cup-winning country of Spain. Djokovic was invited on-stage, where he spoke about his own connections to football, and the fact that his decision to choose tennis instead was “a good choice”. Then, he gave the award to Bonmati. However, fans were furious that she had to receive the award from Djokovic, who has in the past criticised campaigns for equal pay between men and women’s sports. Football journalist Tim Stillman said: “Nothing says ‘celebrate the achievement of female athletes’ like inviting a male athlete who advocated against equal pay to talk about himself and the completely different sport he plays.” Another person said: “Wow they got a male athlete from a completely different sport to present the trophy to the winner? Who’s going to present the men’s trophy? Coco Gauff? Tahlia McGrath? No, didn’t think so.” One other added: “Way to disrespect women’s football btw. Get somebody who’s won it before, a legend of the game, an ally, at the very least a male FOOTBALLER. Who is Djokovic and what’s he done to football in general let alone women’s football.” Elsewhere, people were frustrated at the lack of gender parity between the categories of the various awards. There is no women’s trophy for best goalkeeper, best striker, or best young player as there are for the men’s game. One user wrote: “Ballon d'Or 2023 - No awards for: Women's U21 player, Women's Gerd Muller, Women's Lev Yashin. “The Women's award was presented by Novak Djokovic, a player who made it all about him rather than Aitana Bonmati. “Utter disgrace”. Sign up for our free Indy100 weekly newsletter How to join the indy100's free WhatsApp channel Have your say in our news democracy. Click the upvote icon at the top of the page to help raise this article through the indy100 rankings

'Jeopardy!' host Ken Jennings jokes about contestant Nik Berry's name inspired by IKEA shelf during the show

Sifan Hassan on Sunday rebounded from her dramatic fall metres from the finish of the 10,000m world final to reach the 1500m final...

An overview of the media in Greece, as well as links to broadcasters and newspapers.

Valykrie has appeared in nearly 100% of Apex League Global Series matches, and some players believe she needs a nerf.

By Richard Cowan WASHINGTON The morning after U.S. House of Representatives Republicans united around new Speaker Mike Johnson,

Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. has extended the right of least two companies to connect to South Africa’s power

Since she arrived in 2015, the German director of Florence’s Accademia Gallery has succeeded in drawing visitors’ attention to masterpieces beyond Michelangelo’s towering David, while winning landmark court cases to protect the familiar image of the marble masterpiece against misuse

Full list of FIFA 23 soundtrack songs. Listen to the playlist here.

Jennifer Coolidge spills the tea on her monstrous career blunder that she will always regret

Due to the potential health risks associated with asbestos, there have been concerns surrounding its presence in talcum powder products

Mexico's health authorities have belatedly released a report showing a significant spike in heat-related fatalities in the last two weeks