BBC issues apology after reporter’s controversial question from Moroccan captain mars pre-match press conference at Women’s World Cup.
A journalist from the BBC’s World Service stirred up a storm during the pre-match press conference ahead of the Group H clash between Morocco and Germany in Melbourne. The reporter asked Morocco captain, Chebbak, about the presence of gay players in their squad and the challenges they might face in a country where same-sex relationships are illegal, potentially leading to prison terms and fines.
The question was promptly shut down by a FIFA moderator, who deemed it too political for the context and emphasized sticking to football-related inquiries. However, the journalist insisted that it was about people rather than politics and pushed for an answer. The incident, caught on video and shared online, triggered widespread criticism, with many expressing concern for the safety and well-being of Chebbak’s teammates back in Morocco.
Following the backlash, the BBC issued an apology for the inappropriate question, stating that they had no intention of causing harm or distress. Chebbak herself appeared visibly disappointed by the line of questioning, while Moroccan media present at the press conference expressed shock and disapproval.
Experts in sports media and journalists weighed in on the incident, stressing the importance of being mindful of the potential harm such questions can cause to players and individuals impacted by political issues. They emphasized the need for empathy and decorum in sports reporting and called for increased diversity in sports media to avoid such situations in the future.
Despite the off-field controversy, Morocco’s women’s team faced a tough start to their World Cup campaign, suffering a 6-0 defeat to Germany in their opening match. Goals from Alexandra Popp, Klara Buhl, Hanane Ait El Haj (own goal), Yasmin Mrabet (own goal), and Lea Schuller secured a convincing victory for Martina Voss-Tecklenburg’s side.
