Footage leaks of a BBC reporter’s inappropriate question asked to the Morocco Women’s team, with the broadcaster apologising.
The BBC has said sorry for the question put to the captain of the national team during the Women’s World Cup.
At a media conference ahead of Morocco’s Women’s World Cup opener against Germany, the unnamed reporter from the British news organization’s World Service asked Ghizlane Chebbak: “In Morocco, it’s illegal to have a gay relationship. Do you have any gay players in your squad and what’s life like for them in Morocco?”
The press conference moderator said: “Sorry, this is a very political question, so we’ll just stick to questions relating to football.”
Morocco captain Ghizlane Chebbak’s almost in disbelief reaction to the question, says it all.
A completely unethical out of line question that poses safety concerns to the players he asking to be named.
Bizarre push followed.
pic.twitter.com/MKk84O774E— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) July 24, 2023
“do you have any gay players in your squad?” Is a questions I’m dying to know what answer he expected for and if there was a single further thought on the impact this can have, just a single thought.
“It’s about people”, the ones you were going to endanger?
— SHE scores bangers (@SHEscoresbanger) July 24, 2023
“No, it’s not political,” the journalist replied. “It’s about people, it’s got nothing to do with politics. Please let her answer the question.”
The press conference then moves on, with another question asked before the proceedings wrapped up.
After being approached to comment on the exchange, the national broadcaster apologised for what was asked.
“We recognise that the question was inappropriate. We had no intention to cause any harm or distress.”
Shireen Ahmed, a reporter for CBC Sports who was also in the room, wrote that the reporter was ‘completely out of line’.
‘Harm reduction matters and posing the question to the captain or coach was unnecessary,’ she posted on Twitter.
‘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 nor comment on policy bc [because] it could be dangerous for them, too.’
She added: ‘If reporting harms someone, it is not only unethical but dangerous.’
According to Human Rights Watch, “Moroccan law also criminalises what it refers to as acts of ‘sexual deviancy’ between members of the same sex. Article 489 of the penal code punishes same-sex relations with prison terms of up to three years and fines of up to 1,000 dirhams ($91).”
Here’s what Twitter users had to say as footage leaks of the BBC reporter’s inappropriate question asked to the Morocco Women’s team…
@KaGordon18: He knows it’s a dangerous question to ask yet still does it. Focus on the football
@fitbaawz: what the actual!!!!
@sgbdowell: Dangerous question and nothing to do with anyone.
@MarkThomas9: Embarrassing question!! What the hell has that got to do with the pathetic journalist 😡
@robdavidson74: How many #journalists asked captains from the men’s teams how many gay players they had on their teams during Qatar cup last year. Answer – none. So why did this journalist think it was ok to a women’s captain. Question was trope laden and potentially put players in danger #bbc
@AmirSights: Embarrassing out of place they should just fire this so called journalist!! A massive embarrassment to BBC.
@Bluespirit1959: Who on earth was the reporter? He needs sacking. What he just asked was outrageous. Absolute clown.
@GJ_1892: This reminds me of when reporters kept asking Eddie Howe pointless political questions about Saudi Arabia. Keep politics out of football you sad cretins.
@___Prometheus: Bruh. how did he sit down, prepare the questions, review them and absolutely think this is a good thing to ask?
@Ojay_B: Oh yeah, please identify the gay people in your squad so the government can imprison them. What a colossal idiot
@BenjaminMcGee98: What an inconsiderate, inappropriate & unfair question! Hope the idiot who asked it was sacked immediately.
@adamski270591: Why? WHY? Journos blag when they ask shit like this. Stop it.
@ConorMcGuire1: These reporters are actually unhinged. Sitting at a press conference for the Women’s World Cup & asking about life in Morocco for gay people 🙈 what is wrong with these people? 😂
@trevk37: BBC ain’t fit for purpose anymore……..
@KanKeano_THFC: What a fucking idiot. Embarrassing.
@the_danistan: What on Earth is going through this reporters head here? What was to be gained?
@Ripsylobo12: WTF. How is it related to Fifa Wc or rather football in general?? Some of these journalists are just dumb.
@Dannywhufcfrost: What a shocking question that is, wouldn’t ask a male team that question would they
@joeygoonerr: Awful from the interviewer here, I don’t even need to say why
@TheoMaccoy: Why would ye ask that question and again keep all forms of politics outside of football
@iLorahTweets: What a terrible question. Was he expecting a manager to out them if it’s illegal? Clearly working in the wrong field if this is their angle
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