Women's World Cup 2023: BBC apologises after question about gay players in Morocco squad
A BBC journalist asked captain Ghizlane Chebbak whether there were gay players in the team. The broadcaster has apologised.
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A question, a row and an apology. Heavily beaten by Germany (6-0) in their first-ever match at a World Cup finals, Morocco must now digest the heavy defeat and look ahead to their next game. But before that, a row had erupted at the pre-match press conference over a question that left head coach Reynald Pedros and team captain Ghizlane Chebbak in an awkward position.
Read more on this: Women's World Cup 2023 – Morocco: Reynald Pedros wants a quick bounce back after the thrashing by Germany
At the microphone, a BBC journalist chose to question the Atlas Lionesses midfielder on the subject of gay people in Morocco. "In Morocco, it is illegal to have a homosexual relationship", he began, before continuing: "Do you have gay players in the team, and what are their lives like in Morocco?" Hardly had the question been asked when the journalist was stopped by FIFA's media officer, who said it was a "very political" question. He was told that no answer would be given and that questions should stick to "sporting issues".
The reply was not to the journalist's liking and he pressed the point: "It's not political, please let her answer". To no avail. His complaint went no further.
https://twitter.com/StoolFootball/status/1683836104066351105
"An inappropriate question"
Faced with the question, the Morocco captain managed a smile, as did her head coach, before the press conference continued, only to be cut short after the next question. But the matter did not end there, and the clip was widely shared online, with many Moroccan fans, and others too, voicing their outrage at the question. In the face of the uproar, the BBC issued an apology. "We recognise that the question was inappropriate. We had no intention of causing harm or distress", a spokeswoman for the British broadcaster said. As yet, neither the Moroccan football federation nor FIFA has reacted.
Also read: Morocco: Nouhaila Benzina, the first player to wear a hijab in Women's World Cup history
https://twitter.com/MetroUK/status/1683892368112484362