The BBC issued an apology after a reporter asked a controversial question during a press conference at the Women’s World Cup, placing the Moroccan team captain in an awkward position and thereby potentially jeopardizing her credibility and / or her safety, reported international media.
Chebbak answered media questions about the match and the tournament before facing Germany on Monday during a press conference.
In the prelude to Morocco’s tournament opener in Australia, the broadcaster admitted that it was “inappropriate” for a reporter to ask captain Ghizlane Chebbak about gay players and same-sex relationships in Morocco.
The reporter inquired specifically whether Chebbak had any gay players on her team and what life looked like for such individuals in Morocco. “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?” was the specific probe posed by the correspondent.
The moderator of the press conference claimed that the question was political, but the journalist argued that “it was about people, not politics.”
The BBC recognized the impropriety of the question and stated that the network had no intent to cause offense or distress.
According to The Athletic’s Steph Yang, who was present, “Some members of the Moroccan media were audibly dismayed by the question.”
Shireen Ahmed, a CBC Sports reporter in the room, stated that the reporter was “completely out of line.” “Harm reduction is important, and asking the captain or coach was unnecessary,” she noted.
Team captains are wearing armbands relating to eight social causes during the Women’s World Cup tournament, with no explicit reference to LGBTQ causes. The armbands focus on gender equality, inclusion, and peace, among others.
Moroccan law considers ‘sexual deviancy’ between members of the same sex to be a crime. Article 489 of the penal code convicts same-sex relationships with up to three years in prison and a fine of up to 1,000 dirhams.