A BBC reporter was recently seen asking an inappropriate question to the Moroccan Women’s soccer team captain Ghizlane Chebbak at the Women’s World Cup 2023. However, the name of the journalist is yet to be found.
The Moroccan captain spoke in a press conference before Morocco’s opening match against Germany. The match ended with a 6-0 defeat for the Moroccan team. In the press conference, the captain, however, faced an invasive question by one of the reporters present there.
The BBC reporter was seen asking, “In Morocco, it’s illegal to have a gay relationship. Do you have any gay players in your squad, and what is life like for them in Morocco?” The press conference moderator was quick to intervene saying, “Sorry, this is a very political question. So we’ll just stick to questions relating to football.”
BBC reporter asks Moroccan Woman football player if any players in her squad are gay.
The BBC have since apologised for the question but have NOT named the journalist who asked the question.
The BBC are a joke. pic.twitter.com/pIdnweX9sa
— Censored Men (@CensoredMen) July 25, 2023
The journalist, however, countered, “It’s about people. It’s got nothing to do with politics. Please let her answer the question.”
Chebbak was seen removing her earpiece and laughing while looking at her coach. The question was eventually ignored by the moderator as she allowed a different final question before ending the conference. The name of the journalist who asked the question is, however, yet to be known.
Morocco is one of those countries where same-sex marriage or intimacy is illegal. Moreover, Moroccans who violate this law could end up with a fine or six months to three years in prison. Thus, the captain could have risked herself and her teammates if she had opted to answer the question.
Journalists present at the conference react to the inappropriate question asked by the BBC reporter
Many reporters who were present at the pre-match press conference reacted to the inappropriate question asked by the BBC journalist. The Athletic’s Steph Yang shared, “Some members of the Moroccan media were audibly dismayed by the question.”
While CBC Sports reporter Shireen Ahmed wrote on Twitter, “I was at this press conference. The reporter was completely out of line. Harm reduction matters, and posing the question to the captain or coach was unnecessary. The question was waved off by a FIFA media officer moderating, but it shouldn’t have been asked.”
I was at this press conference. The reporter was completely out of line. Harm reduction matters and posing the question to the captain or coach was unnecessary. The question was waved off by a FIFA media officer moderating but it shouldn’t have been asked. https://t.co/csZ0McTq4k
— Shireen Ahmed (@_shireenahmed_) July 23, 2023
She further criticized the British journalist, “Asking a player about her teammates and whether they are gay, and how it affects them, when you know it is not permissible is bizarre and out of line. The captain cannot out players, not comment on policy, because it could be dangerous for them.”
The British broadcasting agency has since apologized for the inappropriate question asked by one of the journalists. However, they have refused to disclose the name of the journalist.